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 • Feb. 20, 2026

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 • Jan. 20, 2026

Müller is also heard being sympathetic to her off camera, proof our foremost Hitler apologist had no problem, decades later, making new allies.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2025

Meghan McCain has joined Halperin’s media startup 2WAY as the host of her own show; so have former Bernie Sanders surrogate Nina Turner and serial Trump apologist Batya Ungar-Sargon.

From Slate • Jun. 30, 2025

“The system is not run by a bunch of racists,” the apologist would explain.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander