apologia Synonyms

apology apologism why and wherefore pretext polemic plea palliation mitigation logomachy justification extenuation explanation exoneration protection rationale rationalization Shintoism fish story grounds whitewashing whitewash vindication support story shinto retort reason excuse exculpation apologetic answer allegation alibi advocating advocate advocacy action acquittal accounting account apologetics apologizing apologizer defense defence contention case basis assertion argumentation