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

as in champ

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

This drink returns every year as the champion of Dunkin’s pumpkin menu items. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026 Defending Division 1 champion Torrey Pines looks to return to the Open Division. — Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Verb

In recent years, critical attitudes towards Terrordome, which was Onwurah’s debut, have softened, with institutions programming the title as part of retrospectives and championing it as a seminal example of afrofuritist filmmaking. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 July 2026 Long championed by stars like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, the warm, golden hue delivers effortless radiance year-round. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for champion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion

Noun

Outside of winning golf’s Grand Slam, repeating as Super Bowl champs is the hardest feat in sports.

— Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Others like Washington, Iowa and Illinois frequently fly under the radar as tough places to play, and home games in Bloomington are going to reach a whole new level now that the Hoosiers are defending champs.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of champ

Noun

But lawmakers appear to be turning to the provisions as a means of transitioning away from that model and toward what proponents, including Netanyahu, describe as a mutually beneficial defense partnership.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Although proponents say the substances help with weight loss, energy and muscle mass, and often cite research that has been done solely on animals or on a very small number of humans, no one knows for certain how or when it should be used in humans.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

That will be Cancelo and Jules Kounde, though Xavi Espart is another option in addition to a multifunctional World Cup winner in Eric Garcia.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
There are other accomplished sprinters in the peloton, but her dominance this season is akin to five-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar (21 wins this year) on the men’s side.

— Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of winner

Noun

Freezing dormant coins, supporters argue, beats letting a future quantum thief drain them and dump them on the market.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
After spending last summer in the heat of Hong Kong and South Korea, where the Tottenham supporter base is large and fervent, opting for Australia and New Zealand offered a welcome change of pace.

— Elias Burke, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of supporter

Verb

Cornyn, who lost reelection this year after Trump endorsed his primary opponent, and Tillis, who is retiring when his term ends in January, have blocked Blanche’s nomination as many of their GOP colleagues have criticized the fund.

— Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Trump vowed to endorse candidates in the May primary running against Republican senators who voted against redistricting.

— Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of endorse

Verb

Stefan Rittner, senior portfolio manager at Allianz Global Investors, said markets were more likely to accept measures that improve productivity, labor supply and long-term growth than spending aimed mainly at supporting consumption.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Reuters — Japan’s government is portraying its accelerating military buildup not only as a way to protect the country but as a route to greater prosperity, arguing in ‌its latest defence white paper that arms production can support economic growth.

— Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of support

Cite this Entry

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“Champion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/champion. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of champion

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