advocate 1 of 2

advocate

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word advocate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of advocate are back, champion, support, and uphold. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

When is it sensible to use back instead of advocate?

Although the words back and advocate have much in common, back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When can champion be used instead of advocate?

In some situations, the words champion and advocate are roughly equivalent. However, champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

When is support a more appropriate choice than advocate?

The synonyms support and advocate are sometimes interchangeable, but support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

Where would uphold be a reasonable alternative to advocate?

While the synonyms uphold and advocate are close in meaning, uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of advocate
Noun
My office has long been a national leader in protecting older adults from abuse through our specialized Elder Crimes Unit, which includes expert prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates. Summer Stephan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025 Privacy advocates have warned that online age verification requirements put users at risk, as users often do not know what steps a company will take to protect sensitive personal information like images of government IDs. Kevin Collier, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Against a backdrop of tales similar to Ewers’, sports stars such as American rugby player Ilona Maher are advocating for body positivity in sports, while federations and sporting bodies are being called on to act. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 For nearly seven decades, Hidankyo has advocated for the rights of Hibakusha and worked to educate the public about the humanitarian consequences of nuclear warfare. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for advocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for advocate
Noun
  • Massive Attack have also joined a separate but parallel drive to pull music from Spotify altogether; proponents of that movement primarily cite founder Daniel Ek’s investment in weapons contractor Helsing, which is not linked to Israel.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 6 Oct. 2025
  • With Newsom’s signature now on AB 1340, drivers can collectively bargain and unionize, including negotiating contracts, which would set industry-wide standards, according to proponents like bill sponsors Assemblymembers Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, and Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • McMahon has gutted the Education Department’s civil rights division, where lawyers and other federal employees work to ensure all students can access public school, free from discrimination.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Prosecutors further expressed concerns about the department's ability to take the case to trial quickly due to problems identifying all the relevant materials that would need to be handed over to Comey's lawyers, sources said.
    Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Nor does Deloitte advocate or endorse any individuals or entities featured on the episodes.
    Fortune Editors, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The United States has hiked tariffs to the highest level since the Great Depression, and Japan’s incoming prime minister has endorsed lower interest rates and higher borrowing.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Miami philanthropists Trish and Dan Bell, who have given millions to different organizations across South Florida, are longtime supporters of the Foundation and are members of the Golden Angel Society, the Foundation’s premier giving group.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The statue is still standing years later amid a pushback from supporters, who see Columbus as a symbol of Italian American pride.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Through his attorney, Gabe Banks of Banks Weaver Law Firm, Tyrese issued a formal statement extending condolences to the Parker family and accepting responsibility for his dogs.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The Jets are now seeking monetary damages from Chen, including costs of suit, and attorneys’ fees.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Then layer the bulbs as described above, tossing organic fertilizer into the bottom of each layer to support root growth.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Survivors were referred to support services provided by agencies such as Health and Human Services to ensure long-term care and protection.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Young Thug is the purest exponent of mainstream rap’s melodic rap era.
    Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Stephanie Bell is none other than Stephanie Kelton, now an exponent of Modern Monetary Theory.
    Vipin Bharathan, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Advocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/advocate. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on advocate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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