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 next

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 three short months, the Dodgers have gone from defending World Series champions to invincible. —

Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 The four-time WNBA champion noted that Chicago Sky star Angel Reese attending the Met Gala in 2024 demonstrated the WNBA’s current and pivotal fashion moment. —

Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 23 Jan. 2025

Verb

King championed racial equity and implored the nation’s leaders to address the systemic oppression plaguing Black communities. —

Char Adams, NBC News, 21 Jan. 2025 The billionaire, who is CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of X, is preparing to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, referring to a cryptocurrency championed by Musk. —

Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for champion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion

Noun

According to industry pros familiar with the situation, the Super Bowl champ’s crib, which includes an infinity pool, dock, vegetable patch and pickleball court, is currently valued at around $150 million.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
Trailing for the first time in the game, the reigning back-to-back champs scored 14 unanswered points to take a double-digit point lead late in the second quarter.

— Kevin Dotson, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025