backer

1 a person who actively supports or favors a cause backers of prison reform held a rally in front of the statehouse Synonyms advocate, advocator, apostle, exponent, booster, champion, expounder, espouser, friend, gospeler (or gospeller), herald, hierophant, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, protagonist, supporter, true believer, tub-thumper, white knightRelated Words loyalist, partisan (also partizan), stalwart; adherent, cohort, disciple, follower; interpreter; applauder, cheerleader, encourager, fellow travelerNear Antonyms enemy, foe, rival; belittler, critic, faultfinderAntonyms adversary, antagonist, opponent

2 a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing all financial backers will be expected to offer some input into the company's decisions Synonyms sponsor, guarantor, patron, suretyRelated Words chaperone (or chaperon); advocate, champion, supporter; angel, benefactor, underwriter; coach, mentor, teacher; cosponsor; cosignatory, cosigner

3 someone associated with another to give assistance or moral support the student's backers spoke at the school board meeting on her behalf Synonyms abettor (also abetter), ally, bedfellow, confederate, fellow traveler, supporter, sympathizerRelated Words empathizer, well-wisher; accessory (also accessary), accomplice, coalitionist, collaborationist, collaborator; adjunct, assistant, coadjutor, helper; associate, cohort, colleague, fellow, partner; buddy, chum, companion, comrade, confidant, crony, familiar, friend, intimate, mate, palNear Antonyms belittler, detractor; adversary, enemy, foe, opponent