CHAMPION Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'champion' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of champion are advocate , back , support , and uphold . While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause. // championed the rights of children

Q: When can 'advocate' be used instead of 'champion'?

The words advocate and champion can be used in similar contexts, but advocate stresses urging or pleading. // advocated prison reform

Q: When might 'back' be a better fit than 'champion'?

Although the words back and champion have much in common, back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling. // refusing to back the call for sanctions

Q: When could 'support' be used to replace 'champion'?

In some situations, the words support and champion are roughly equivalent. However, support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given. // supports waterfront development

Q: Where would 'uphold' be a reasonable alternative to 'champion'?

While the synonyms uphold and champion are close in meaning, uphold implies extended support given to something attacked. // upheld the legitimacy of the military action

champion 1 of 2

noun

ˈcham-pē-ən

Definition of champion next

as in champ

the person who comes in first in a competition the champion of the national spelling bee

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

loser

as in proponent

a person who actively supports or favors a cause she's the biggest champion of budget reform in the Congress

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

champion

2 of 2

verb

as in to advocate

to promote the interests or cause of he has always championed the protection of abused animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of champion are advocate, back, support, and uphold. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

When can advocate be used instead of champion?

The words advocate and champion can be used in similar contexts, but advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

When might back be a better fit than champion?

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

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When could support be used to replace champion?

In some situations, the words support and champion are roughly equivalent. However, support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

Where would uphold be a reasonable alternative to champion?

While the synonyms uphold and champion 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 champion

Noun

Held at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on June 20, 2026, Kape's victory positions him as the next challenger for champion Joshua Van, likely after Van's rematch with Alexandre Pantoja. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 The Valkyries stayed with the defending champions up until the midway point of the second quarter. —

Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 21 June 2026

Verb

Many residents praise him for championing the city. —

Jill Lawless, Fortune, 21 June 2026 The core mission is to champion female, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, API, and persons with disabilities’ voices in entertainment and media, through research, education, and supporting the production and distribution of inclusive content. —

Carole Horst, Variety, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for champion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion

Noun

The three-time Super Bowl champ, 36, enjoyed quality time with his male friends in Southern California, including big brother and former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce as well as future brother-in-law Austin Swift, according to multiple outlets.

— Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026
The Hornets bring a resume to the MAC that includes a recent run of four straight seasons -- 2019-23 with 2020 cancelled due to the pandemic -- of making the playoff under Troy Taylor (2019 and 2021-22 as Big Sky champs) and Andy Thompson (2023).

— Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026