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That may be the definition of the word, but look how it is used in mainstream usage. It is typically used to describe someone who is defending something that is not usually defended. Such as Nazi Apologist, Hamas Apologist, Stalin Apologist, etc. You don't hear anyone using the phrase "Clean Air Apologist", do you?


http://news.google.com/news?q=Apologist

Of the first 10, most are as you say, 2 are about actual apologies, and 1 is a "CIA apologist", which is in line with the above dictionary meaning.

It does tend to have the connotation you mention, but that isn't its only use in the mainstream press.




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