champion 1 of 2

champion

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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
But if only for diligence’s sake, Padres leaders have to consider a few things relating to the Brewers going 6-0 against the defending World Series champions. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2025 Though this will be his third team in three years, the former Super Bowl champion is eager to start this next chapter. Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Verb
Huffman mentioned the Department of Government Efficiency initiative -- formerly led by billionaire Elon Musk and championed by Trump -- shrunk the federal workforce responsible for handling permitting reviews. Arkansas Online, 22 July 2025 But by all appearances, the tone has shifted, and those championing ADUs, including the mayor, are open to negotiating. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for champion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion
Noun
  • Shields won that fight by second-round TKO to become the WBC and WBF heavyweight champ.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • The defending champs paddled to victory at the first race of the 2025 Triple Crown season, New York's General Clinton Canoe Regatta, in May.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • Volz has been a major proponent of continuing to rely mainly on NOAA operated satellites, while entering into data purchase agreements with private companies as well.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
  • But those caps haven’t been updated in more than two decades, and proponents of the policy argue the exemptions haven’t kept up with rising costs.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Let Your Expert Guide You: Your digital forensics expert should be educating you about the importance of complete data access and advocating alongside you for obtaining complete UFED files.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • This is not something that Starboard generally advocates for and is not advocating for it here.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Exit plan: Offload your long-term winners onto the charity, which will take them, fractional shares included, with a few mouse clicks.
    William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • Trump also won the electoral vote, which decides the winner, 312-226.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • At the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Hogan attempted to resurrect his wrestling persona to appease a sea of devoted Trump supporters who were not there to cheer for him.
    John DeVore, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2025
  • Finland, who have not progressed past the Euros’ group stage since 2009, and Wales, making their major tournament debut, each brought thousands of vocal supporters.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • Biden ultimately dropped out and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic nominee less than four weeks later on July 21, 2024.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 July 2025
  • Others endorse the proposal, including the Independent Women’s Forum, a conservative nonprofit based in Virginia.
    Cathy Bussewitz, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access.
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
  • Many shared examples of good practice across the sector, from organizations providing mental health support to those implementing fair pay transparency and supporting working parents.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • In the audio world, Audeze is known as the leading exponent of planar-magnetic headphones, an advanced driver technology that produces sound in a different way to the more usual dynamic drivers found in most headphones.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Specifically, your function has to be a polynomial — a combination of variables raised to whole-number exponents and multiplied by coefficients.
    Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 17 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Champion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/champion. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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