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

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

In the previous Euros, the Swiss eliminated France, the defending World Cup champion. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026 Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion from Delray Beach, Florida, was the last American standing for both women and men at the third major of the year. — Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Verb

As residents struggled to handle the extreme heat, worsened by climate change, so did climate infrastructure championed to combat it. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Hamilton championed the bank as a necessary component for building a prosperous America with a stable financial system. — Owen Lamont, Fortune, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for champion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion

Noun

The four-part Rafa follows him at the tail end of his career as the aging champ (well, aging for a pro tennis player) tried to win one more French Open crown to add to his incredible tally of 14 titles at Roland-Garros.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 July 2026
As the Panthers look to repeat as NFC South division champs in 2026, the team’s overarching health will be a major factor.

— Mike Kaye July 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026

Definition of champ

Noun

Some proponents of the tax had criticized the bill as a compromise measure that leaves the difficult political decision of whether to enact a tax for the next governor and Legislature.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
In May, DeWine, an early proponent of the facilities, ordered a temporary freeze on the state's 100% sales tax break for data center developers.

— Scott Cohn, CNBC, 9 July 2026

Definition of proponent

Verb

Instead of protecting oneself by avoiding risks, the article advocates for embracing curiosity to explore new ideas, experiment with AI, and develop uniquely human skills like critical thinking, communication, and creativity.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
The administration also cracked down on student protesters in 2025 for advocating on behalf of Palestinians during the war in Gaza.

— Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of advocate

Noun

To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.

— Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Hundreds of supporters gathered to cheer her arrival after nearly a month and a half at sea.

— Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of supporter

Verb

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who has backed DeSantis at some key moments but also clashed with the governor, also endorsed Donalds last week.

— Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
In December, an FDA panel endorsed TRT for men with low levels and related symptoms.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 6 July 2026

Definition of endorse

Verb

During a 2019-20 artist residency with New York City’s Department of Records and Information Services, Weist mined municipal archives for records revealing how city government had defined, supported and monitored past artists.

— Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Developed by L3Harris Technologies under the Combat Mission Systems Support framework, the system will be operated by the command's Space Delta 3 (DEL 3) – Space Electromagnetic Warfare, with acquisition and sustainment supported by System Delta 89.

— David Szondy July 06, New Atlas, 7 July 2026

Definition of support

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“Champion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/champion. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of champion

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verb

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