apologist

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: a=pol=o=gist

CIDE DICTIONARY

apologist, n. [Cf. F. apologiste.].

 One who makes an apology; one who speaks or writes in defense of a faith, a cause, or an institution; especially, one who argues in defense of Christianity.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

apologist, n. a person who defends something by argument.

Etymology

F apologiste f. Gk apologizomai render account f. apologos account

THESAURUS

apologist

Maecenas, Philadelphia lawyer, abettor, admirer, advocate, aficionado, angel, apologete, apologizer, arguer, argufier, backer, buff, casuist, champion, controversialist, debater, defender, dependence, disceptator, disputant, encourager, endorser, exponent, fan, favorer, friend at court, guard, guardhouse lawyer, justifier, logomacher, logomachist, lover, mainstay, maintainer, mooter, paladin, paranymph, partisan, patron, pilpulist, pleader, polemic, polemicist, polemist, promoter, proponent, protagonist, protector, reliance, second, seconder, sectary, sider, sponsor, stalwart, standby, successful advocate, support, supporter, sustainer, sympathizer, upholder, vindicator, votary, well-wisher, whitewasher, wrangler

ROGET THESAURUS

apologist

Vindication

N vindication, justification, warrant, exoneration, exculpation, acquittal, whitewashing, extenuation, palliation, palliative, softening, mitigation, reply, defense, recrimination, apology, gloss, varnish, plea, salvo, excuse, extenuating circumstances, allowance, allowance to be made, locus paenitentiae, apologist, vindicator, justifier, defendant, justifiable charge, true bill, v, justify, warrant, be an excuse for, lend a color, furnish a handle, vindicate, exculpate, disculpate, acquit, clear, set right, exonerate, whitewash, clear the skirts of, extenuate, palliate, excuse, soften, apologize, varnish, slur, gloze, put a gloss, put a good face upon, mince, gloss over, bolster up, help a lame dog over a stile, advocate, defend, plead one's cause, stand up for, stick up for, speak up for, contend for, speak for, bear out, keep in countenance, support, plead, say in defense, plead ignorance, confess and avoid, propugn, put in a good word for, take the will for the deed, make allowance for, give credit for, do justice to, give one his due, give the Devil his due, make good, prove the truth of, prove one's case, be justified by the event, vindicated, vindicating, exculpatory, apologetic, excusable, defensible, pardonable, venial, veniable, specious, plausible, justifiable, honi sot qui mal y pense, good wine needs no bush.