apologist

American  

[uh-pol-uh-jist] / əˈpɒl ə dʒɪst /

noun

1. a person who makes a defense in speech or writing of a belief, idea, etc.

2. Ecclesiastical.

   1. Also apologete a person skilled in apologetics.

   2. one of the authors of the early Christian apologies in defense of the faith.

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apologist British  

/ əˈpɒlədʒɪst /

noun

1. a person who offers a defence by argument

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Etymology

Origin of apologist

First recorded in 1630–40; either from apolog(y) ( def. ) + -ist ( def. ) or from French apologiste

Example Sentences

He has been denounced as a champion of imperialism, a sentimental traditionalist, a shallow Christian apologist.

From The Wall Street Journal

When useful idiots play along, the hypocrisy is double: Perpetrators pretend to be humane, and apologists pretend to believe them.

From The Wall Street Journal

I am a self-described dog apologist and would probably spend more money on my pet’s safety and comfort than my own.

From MarketWatch

Ms. Jackson is no apologist—her James has flaws aplenty—but where prior historians offered snide caricature, she portrays a complex leader who was “intelligent, resilient, idiosyncratic, irascible, guileful and witty.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Her conclusion was startling, her tone defiant: “Put me wherever you want: misguided socialist, toothless humanist, naïve novelist, useful idiot, apologist, denier, ally, contrarian, collaborator, traitor, inexcusable coward.”

From Los Angeles Times