champion 1 of 2

champion

2 of 2

verb

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
The senator is seen as one of California YIMBY’s key champions in the legislature and has received more than $10,000 in campaign contributions from the organization since 2021. Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2025 The Dodgers were hoping to repeat as champions. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
In a fashion world increasingly dominated by fast trends and fleeting styles, vintage curators are pushing back—championing quality, history, and individuality. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025 While some Black women championed human rights at the grassroots level, others worked to advance human rights in more formal roles at the United Nations. Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for champion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion
Noun
  • That year saw the final October for Sandy Koufax, when his Dodgers tried and failed to repeat as champs.
    Steve Rushin, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The Blue Jays went on to stun the Dodgers that night, taking the first game 11-4 and quieting early speculation that they would be swept in four games by the defending champs.
    Paula Newton, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • An early proponent in the direct-to-consumer beauty space, Glossier entered wholesale in 2023 and has since expanded into key markets like France via Sephora and Space NK.
    Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The nascent market is currently led by the likes of Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, and proponents say the technology can ease air traffic congestion.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Instead of gathering experts who advocate for their functional perspective and then compromise, AI enables teams where each member can think holistically across functions.
    François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The veteran coach believes the solution to the problem is to cut some games off the 82-game schedule, a view shared by Cleveland Cavaliers coach (and former Kerr assistant) Kenny Atkinson, who recently advocated for a 72-game season.
    Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The meeting was widely attended by investment firms, hedge funds, and others interested in future business in Venezuela, said Rafael de la Cruz, the director of the US office of Machado and Edmundo González Urritia, who is recognized by the US as the winner of the last Venezuelan election.
    Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • India was the last of the four teams to qualify for the semifinals, but then beat defending champion and seven-time winner Australia by five wickets to reach the final.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Favorability Ratings Reveal Polarized Electorate All three candidates face underwater favorability ratings, though Mamdani’s supporters remain the most energized.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • At last weekend’s general assembly of Barcelona club members, Laporta tried to thread a delicate path when defending the plan to play a domestic game over 4,500 miles away, knowing that Tebas is not exactly popular with his team’s supporters.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Former President Barack Obama stopped short of endorsing but called Mamdani over the weekend, offering to be a sounding board.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Meanwhile, former President Obama endorsed Sherrill in an online video message and later joined her on the campaign trail.
    Joe Hernandez, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Chairwoman Robyn Denholm urged shareholders to support it, warning in a letter Monday that the company risks losing significant value if the deal fails and Musk opts to step down as chief executive.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Boone is currently on the international leg of his tour supporting his second studio album American Heart.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • After years of a 4-4-2 being the prevailing setup across Europe in the 1990s, former Manchester City assistant manager Juanma Lillo was an early exponent of the 4-2-3-1 system in the early 2000s during his time in Spain.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Young Thug is the purest exponent of mainstream rap’s melodic rap era.
    Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Champion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/champion. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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