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
The zoning panel’s definitions would add large amounts of Ada County land to what’s protected, advocates previously testified to the commissioners, and would amount to a de facto ban. Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025 Volpe, his doctors and 9/11 advocates had explored getting autoimmune disorders like his covered by the WTC Health Program for decades now. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Software, California’s technologists often advocate, could be one answer. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025 But the parents who have been advocating for Senate Bill 1 stand behind their efforts to push through the bill. Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for advocate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for advocate
Noun
  • Host a challenge forum with a proponent, a skeptic, and a synthesizer.
    Curt Steinhorst, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • To answer this question, Lam looks to the ancient Chinese philosopher Han Fei, an important proponent of the school of thought known as Legalism.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Despite lacking any legal education or experience, Routh dismissed his lawyers earlier this year and intends to defend himself at trial.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The actress revels in every episode as a septuagenarian lawyer returning to the workforce at a high-profile New York firm with a Southern accent and a baby boomer sensibility.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Former Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins is endorsing City Council President Mary Sheffield for mayor, in a pivotal move that could help the current city council president also shore up her former opponent's strong support base.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • More than a dozen environmental organizations sent the city a joint letter this month endorsing the new plan, which was funded by both federal and state grants.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The president sought to show supporters that the achievements of his administration would be wiped out if Republican opponent Mitt Romney won the election.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Despite facing challenges to get the march off the ground this year, supporters came bearing flags, signs and spirit on the eve of the Boise Pride Festival, which takes place this weekend.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At least one former candidate – Kansas City attorney Stacy Lake, who lost to White in the Democratic primary for County Executive in 2022 – has announced plans to run at that point.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Another of Soliman’s attorneys interrupted when the immigration officer said the Brotherhood had been a Tier III group since 2012.
    Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The red edges and soft fabric give them an elegant look while their memory foam insole keeps feet supported and comfortable with every step.
    Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • For Jamaica, how and where field event athletes can be better supported, and, for governing bodies, whether multiple medallists moving from one country to another at once sets another bad precedent.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As one careful exponent of technical legal craft addressing another, Burroughs hit the mark.
    Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The single bit flip can increase the exponent value by 16.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Advocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/advocate. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on advocate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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