apologism

USAGE SUMMARY

"apologism" is a correct word in English and can be used in written English.
It refers to a behavior or attitude involving apology or expressing remorse. For example, "The leader's apologism did not appease the people affected by the disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But that had always a ring of apologism.

The Economist

Brown's victim deciding she wants to forgive him or still wants to be in a relationship with him does not negate what he did, or improve his character, or erase the surrounding culture of victim-blaming and apologism for violence against women.

Independent

Put simply, holding the SWP to account for its rape apologism ought to be de rigueur for any civilised person.

Independent

Rape apologism manifests in infinite forms: we define it as any discourse that refers to sexual assault as anything other than what it is – unacceptable and appalling abuse.

Independent

The statement [as above] is, unfortunately, rife with apologism and we do not condone it nor the violence it describes.

Independent

Robert's argument is borne out of colonial apologism and ignorance.

Independent

Natalya Din-Kariuki, a cofounder of the group, said: "The name of the scholarship is perhaps the ultimate form of veneration and colonial apologism; it's a large part of why many continue to understand Rhodes as a benevolent founder and benefactor.

The Guardian

Pam and Rog Wortley Sunderland The Castro apologism from many on your letters page (28 November) is shameful.

The Guardian

Barrister Robert Colover's "inappropriate comments" on the sexually "predatory" nature of a 13-year-old abuse victim, the shocking media reaction to the sentencing of the Steubenville rapists, or the rape apologism of Lee Travis, Todd Akin, George Galloway and others are just some of many recent examples in which emotion falls very much on the side of the abuser.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not apologism to try to understand why something happened.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Among the survey's bright spots were signs that Tiso-apologism is on the decline.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apologism" when you specifically want to describe the act of defending or justifying something, especially if it is controversial or questionable. Be aware of the potential negative connotations associated with the term, as it often implies a biased or uncritical defense.

Common error

Avoid using "apologism" when a simple apology is more appropriate. "Apologism" implies a deeper defense or justification of a belief or action, not just expressing remorse for a mistake.

Linguistic Context

Apologism functions as a noun, denoting the act or practice of defending or justifying a particular idea, cause, or action. Ludwig provides examples where it refers to the defense of controversial topics such as violence against women or colonial practices. It is a concept, an action, or a set of arguments used to defend an action or concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apologism" functions as a noun that describes the act of defending or justifying something, particularly when that defense is seen as biased or controversial. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, often used to analyze and critique defenses of problematic actions or beliefs. While the term itself is grammatically correct, it often carries a negative connotation. When using "apologism", be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation and ensure that its use accurately reflects the nuanced context of the defense or justification being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apologia

A formal written defense of one's opinions or conduct.

defense

Focuses on providing support or justification for a belief or action.

justification

Highlights the act of proving something to be right or reasonable.

excuse

Implies seeking to lessen the blame or responsibility for a fault or offense.

rationalization

Emphasizes the creation of seemingly logical reasons to justify unacceptable behavior.

advocacy

Publicly support or recommend a particular cause or policy.

vindication

Focuses on clearing someone of blame or suspicion.

plea

Highlights an emotional request for understanding or forgiveness.

explanation

Offers reasons or causes for an action or belief, without necessarily defending it.

case

Presents arguments and evidence to support a particular viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "apologism" in a sentence?

You can use "apologism" to describe the act of defending or justifying a particular belief or action, such as "His defense of the company's environmental record was seen as mere apologism".

What's the difference between "apologism" and "apology"?

"Apology" is an expression of regret, while "apologism" is the defense or justification of a belief or action. "Apologism" often carries a negative connotation, implying a biased defense.

What are some synonyms for "apologism"?

Synonyms for "apologism" include "defense", "justification", and "rationalization", depending on the specific context.

Is "apologism" a positive or negative term?

"Apologism" often carries a negative connotation, implying a biased or uncritical defense of something controversial or questionable.