ADVOCATE Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

advocate 1 of 2

noun

ˈad-və-kət

Definition of advocate

as in proponent

a person who actively supports or favors a cause Mark Twain, Noah Webster, and President Theodore Roosevelt are among past advocates of a reformed spelling system

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lawyer

a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations with such a strong case against him, he's going to need the best advocate that money can buy

Synonyms & Similar Words

advocate

2 of 2

verb

ˈad-və-ˌkāt

as in to endorse

to promote the interests or cause of environmentalists advocating agricultural methods designed to slow the destruction of rain forests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Reed’s view Antitrust advocates on the left and the right are upset that, yet again, a big tech giant has avoided being broken up after an antitrust lawsuit. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026 All of these changes, advocates say, may have contributed to the delay, although a former Education Department employee who recently worked on the CRDC tells NPR that team is still intact at the agency. — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

Even in recent years, Steinem remained an active voice advocating for women's rights, autonomy and representation. — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026 Reddington advocated for the attorneys to discuss the inquiry in open court. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for advocate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for advocate

Noun

Beniers is a big proponent of the player empowerment trend and believes players are well within their rights to turn down a trade or contract.

— Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
In order to secure the large number of signatures, proponents of initiatives typically hire petition management companies, according to the indictment.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

The press conference will be held by La Strada’s lawyers from Popham Law Firm and Baldwin and Vernon.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026
For this legal fight over the USPS plan, the administration's lawyers have provided the courts with no evidence of mail-voting fraud.

— Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of lawyer

Verb

Manchin raised eyebrows by endorsing Collins against Democrat Troy Jackson, marking the second consecutive cycle Manchin has backed his former colleague.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The union plans to spend several million dollars on anti-Raman ads, Noah reports, targeting her membership in the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which recently endorsed her candidacy.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of endorse

Noun

Footage circulating on social media appears to show a confrontation unfolding on the sidelines in the 73rd minute when Bielik was attempting to retrieve a ball that was thrown back into play by a young Portsmouth supporter.

— Sam Joseph, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Clancy’s supporters were divided, some holding out hope the Commonwealth’s highest court would intervene and others coming to accept what would end up being the inescapable conclusion.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of supporter

Noun

Her attorney declined to comment about the complaints lodged against the school.

— Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
But at the last moment, the defense attorney sprung up from his chair to argue a Hail Mary in a final effort to avert a mistrial, prompting a court officer to hold out his hand to signal the jurors should not yet enter the courtroom.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of attorney

Verb

If the folks in charge really fixed the offensive line, maybe new coach Todd Monken’s offense can create big plays and support a defense that still has top talent.

— Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The documentary is narrated by actor Gary Sinise, whose own direction in life was profoundly affected by the attacks and ultimately inspired the creation of his foundation to support veterans, first responders, and their families.

— Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

advisory

advocate

advocated

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“Advocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/advocate. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of advocate

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