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 Ascent fought back against the defending league champion Tampa Bay Sun in a prime-time Gainbridge Super League matchup, thrilling an energetic Charlotte crowd on a night when kickoff was pushed back roughly 30 minutes due to thunderstorms. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025 The Cowboys and Eagles opened the 2025-26 NFL regular season on Thursday, with the defending champions winning 24-20 over Dallas, and now the first Sunday slate of games is set to kick off. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
Busta Rhymes, a juggernaut championed for his visual contributions, is set to receive the first MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award. Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 In the early 70s, the British maverick had already made a name for himself with Deliverance, which was the kind of artsy genre flick championed by a New Hollywood whose directors owed more to the European arthouse than to classic studio fare. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for champion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion
Noun
  • In their opening matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, the reigning champs were able to kick the year off in the win column.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Tan, whose sartorial preference is a black T-shirt, recently shared his new game plan with senior editor John Kang—pivoting to make his company an AI gaming software champ.
    Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Host a challenge forum with a proponent, a skeptic, and a synthesizer.
    Curt Steinhorst, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • To answer this question, Lam looks to the ancient Chinese philosopher Han Fei, an important proponent of the school of thought known as Legalism.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The group agreed to advocate for device-free schools, delay buying phones for their kids for as long as possible, and restrict social media until late adolescence.
    Charlotte Alter, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Americans for Prosperity ― Ogles' former employer and that of many of his congressional staff ― is a political special interest group that advocates for limited government, free markets and fiscal restraint.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At the WellChild Awards in London on Monday, May 8, Harry, 40, chatted with 13-year-old Grace Tutt, a Special Recognition winner who uses a wheelchair following a bus crash.
    Erin Hill, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Yet Nigeria still boast depth, with new Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Tolu Arokodare scoring the winner in their 1-0 victory over Rwanda.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The president sought to show supporters that the achievements of his administration would be wiped out if Republican opponent Mitt Romney won the election.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Despite facing challenges to get the march off the ground this year, supporters came bearing flags, signs and spirit on the eve of the Boise Pride Festival, which takes place this weekend.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Former Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins is endorsing City Council President Mary Sheffield for mayor, in a pivotal move that could help the current city council president also shore up her former opponent's strong support base.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • More than a dozen environmental organizations sent the city a joint letter this month endorsing the new plan, which was funded by both federal and state grants.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The red edges and soft fabric give them an elegant look while their memory foam insole keeps feet supported and comfortable with every step.
    Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • For Jamaica, how and where field event athletes can be better supported, and, for governing bodies, whether multiple medallists moving from one country to another at once sets another bad precedent.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As one careful exponent of technical legal craft addressing another, Burroughs hit the mark.
    Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The single bit flip can increase the exponent value by 16.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Champion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/champion. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on champion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!