Apologist
/əˈpɒl.ə.dʒɪst/noun
A person who argues in defense or support of a belief, doctrine, policy, or institution.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek *apologia*, meaning a formal defense speech, so an apologist was originally someone who argued their case like a lawyer, not someone saying sorry.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
apología (ἀπολογία)
“A speech in defense; a formal answer to an accusation”
Late Latin
Latin
apologia
“A defense, especially of a doctrine or belief”
14th Century
English
apologie
“A defense or justification”
16th Century
English
apologist
“One who writes or speaks in defense of a person, cause, or doctrine”
Modern English
English
apologist
“A person who defends or argues for a belief, policy, or institution”