Word
apologist
Phoneticsapol·o·gist
US/əˈpɑɫədʒəst/
UK/ɐpˈɒlədʒˌɪst/
Countable noun
Definition
n. someone who tries to defend or explain a person, group, or idea that many people think is bad or wrong. You use this word for people who make excuses for things that are usually criticized.
n. a person who defends or justifies a person, group, or idea that is widely regarded as morally or politically objectionable. Often carries a pejorative tone when used to describe those defending controversial historical figures or ideologies.
Examples
“He is a well-known apologist for the old political party.”
“The author was criticized as an apologist for the regime, as his book focused on the state's achievements rather than its human rights abuses.”
“While some scholars view the philosopher as a neutral observer, others argue he was a dedicated apologist for the very system he claimed to study objectively.”
Examples
simple
“He is a well-known apologist for the old political party.”
contextual
“The author was criticized as an apologist for the regime, as his book focused on the state's achievements rather than its human rights abuses.”
complex
“While some scholars view the philosopher as a neutral observer, others argue he was a dedicated apologist for the very system he claimed to study objectively.”
Real-World Examples
“He is good at knockabout invective, laying into "fragilista" economists such as Joseph Stiglitz and self-aggrandising journalists such as "the vile and harmful" Thomas Friedman, who was an apologist for the Iraq war.” Etymology
From apology + -ist, from French apologiste.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/apologist