1
as in champs
the person who comes in first in a competition
the champion of the national spelling bee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proponents
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
as in advocates
to promote the interests or cause of
he has always championed the protection of abused animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of champions
James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Having failed to win any of the three trophies the team played for so far this year, Inter Miami is highly motivated to repeat as Supporters’ Shield champions and win the first MLS Cup in club history.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
The Broncos played all but South Carolina last year and enjoyed mixed results — a 5-0 loss at the hands of eventual national champions TCU was accompanied by a pair of victories over Arizona (3-2, 3-2), and one loss apiece against Arizona State (3-2) and Florida State (4-1).
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2025
Harrison believes Woods can join that elite group of individual champions and even help bring another team title to the program.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2025
After tearing his Achilles tendon during the Celtics' quest to go back-to-back as NBA champions last season, many believed that Jayson Tatum would miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season.
—Evan Bell, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
The lone touchdown came from rookie running back Cam Skattebo, which put the pressure on the reigning AFC champions.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
The whole concept also champions uniqueness, with the members scoping out outfits that feel true to themselves, while also being out of this world.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 19 Sep. 2025
Ai Weiwei’s work frequently champions free speech, gives a voice to the downtrodden.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The group champions the introduction of the Equal Earth projection, which aims to give Africa its magnitudinal due.
—Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Liverpool remain top of the Premier League table with five wins out of six, and being narrowly beaten by Turkish champions Galatasaray should not prevent them from making it through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Having failed to win any of the three trophies the team played for so far this year, Inter Miami is highly motivated to repeat as Supporters’ Shield champions and win the first MLS Cup in club history.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
The Broncos played all but South Carolina last year and enjoyed mixed results — a 5-0 loss at the hands of eventual national champions TCU was accompanied by a pair of victories over Arizona (3-2, 3-2), and one loss apiece against Arizona State (3-2) and Florida State (4-1).
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2025
Harrison believes Woods can join that elite group of individual champions and even help bring another team title to the program.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2025
After tearing his Achilles tendon during the Celtics' quest to go back-to-back as NBA champions last season, many believed that Jayson Tatum would miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season.
—Evan Bell, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
The lone touchdown came from rookie running back Cam Skattebo, which put the pressure on the reigning AFC champions.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
Founded in 2015, AFS is a creative and cultural hub that champions Armenian films and empowers Armenian filmmakers.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
The whole concept also champions uniqueness, with the members scoping out outfits that feel true to themselves, while also being out of this world.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 19 Sep. 2025
Ai Weiwei’s work frequently champions free speech, gives a voice to the downtrodden.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The group champions the introduction of the Equal Earth projection, which aims to give Africa its magnitudinal due.
—Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for champions
Noun
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While the Cowboys and Chiefs have gone about their usual business of scaring up impressions, last year’s ratings champs have yet to really pounce on the Nielsen dials.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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That opening night doubleheader features the Houston Rockets at the Oklahoma City Thunder (Kevin Durant back in OKC as the defending champs get their rings), followed by the Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers (Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler versus LeBron James and Luka Dončić).—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Eide and other proponents of expanding hospitalization believe the administration could do even more.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
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Closure of the bike path to undertake this project has drawn opposition from cycling proponents and West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That same day, advocates for incarcerated people gathered inside the capitol to attend a rally with progressive Democratic legislators.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
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Yet advocates stress that higher education remains a strong investment, despite rising costs and debt pressures.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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His three game-winners last season were a career-high.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
8 Oct. 2025
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Past winners of the Nobel physics prize include some of the most influential figures in the history of science, such as Albert Einstein, Pierre and Marie Curie, Max Planck and Niels Bohr, himself a pioneer of quantum theory.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The chorus of boos at the final whistle showed what supporters made of it.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Back in the 1920s, even the Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin called on his British supporters to affiliate with the Labour Party instead of fighting it.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The law also requires insurance plans to cover the vaccines the state endorses.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
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Unlike Schumer and Jeffries, Harris endorses Mamdani for NYC mayor.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Champions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/champions. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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