apologist
Americannoun
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a person who makes a defense in speech or writing of a belief, idea, etc.
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Ecclesiastical.
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Also apologete a person skilled in apologetics.
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one of the authors of the early Christian apologies in defense of the faith.
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noun
Etymology
Origin of apologist
First recorded in 1630–40; either from apolog(y) ( def. ) + -ist ( def. ) or from French apologiste
Explanation
An apologist is a person who argues in favor of something unpopular. If you're an apologist for deep sea oil drilling, you would argue that drilling in the ocean is necessary and the benefits make up for any environmental damage. Apologists tend to be seen in a negative light, as defensive people who make excuses. The word apologist comes from the Greek word apologia, meaning "speaking in defense." Not all apologists are bad news; some just defend an unpopular idea. Even though apologist is similar to apology, don't confuse them — if you make an apology you're admitting to being wrong. But if you're an apologist, you justify your belief or action, and would do it all again!
Vocabulary lists containing apologist
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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"Thomas Jefferson: The Best of Enemies" by Ron Chernow
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 25
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Apologists for these Gulf monarchies make familiar arguments.
From Washington Post • May 5, 2022
The ascendant faction is one that Anonymous calls the Apologists, who fall into two categories: the Sycophants and the Silent Abettors—one group is louder than the other, but their effect is the same.
From The New Yorker • Nov. 19, 2019
Apologists say Kyrgios deserves sympathy, that he is young and clearly struggling in tennis’ spotlight.
From Washington Times • Oct. 20, 2016
Apologists for the old South like to point out that the last action of the war, a skirmish in Texas, resulted in a Confederate victory.
From Economist • Apr. 1, 2015
We can see this much in the tremendous efforts of the Apologists to overcome Jewish aversion by producing Old Testament prophecies that Christ was to suffer.
From The Conflict of Religions in the Early Roman Empire by Glover, T. R. (Terrot Reaveley)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
