advocate

²ad·vo·cate

verb \ˈad-və-ˌkāt\

ad·vo·cat·edad·vo·cat·ing

Definition of ADVOCATE

transitive verb

: to plead in favor of

— ad·vo·ca·tion \ˌad-və-ˈkā-shən\ noun

— ad·vo·ca·tive \ˈad-və-ˌkā-tiv\ adjective

— ad·vo·ca·tor \-ˌkā-tər\ noun

Examples of ADVOCATE

1. He advocates traditional teaching methods.
2. The plan is advocated by the president.
3. … it makes sense to commence with … a good medium-weight Chardonnay for the wine aficionados. I advocate one with a little oak and lots of fruit … —Anthony Dias Blue, Bon Appétit, November 1997
4. He advocated the creation of a public promenade along the sea, with arbors and little green tables for the consumption of beer … —Henry James, The American, 1877

Origin of ADVOCATE

(see ¹advocate)

First Known Use: 1599

Related to ADVOCATE

Synonyms: support, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), patronize, plump (for), plunk (for) or plonk (for)

Related Words: adopt, embrace, espouse; abet, aid, assist, help, prop (up), second, side (with); backstop, bolster, boost, buttress, reinforce (also reenforce); advance, forward, further; plug, preach, talk up; bail out, deliver, rescue, save

Near Antonyms: baffle, foil, frustrate, interfere, oppose, sabotage, thwart; desert, disappoint, fail, let down

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See Synonym Discussion at support