champion 1 of 2

noun

ˈcham-pē-ən How to pronounce champion (audio)
Definition of championnext
1
as in champ
the person who comes in first in a competition the champion of the national spelling bee

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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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
Verónica Ojeda, mother of Diego Fernando and former partner of Maradona, thanked the people who gathered at the courthouse, approaching those who sang for the 1986 FIFA World Cup champion and giving them football jerseys. — Gilles Salomone, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025 On Monday, March 11, an official invitation was sent to the NFL champions, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. — Angel Saunders, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
The family has also been in contact with Rep. Steve Riley, a lawmaker in the Kentucky House of Representatives, who has championed a bill in the Kentucky legislature making sextortion a felony and establishing penalties for those convicted of the crime. — Megan Forrester, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025 More than 80% of the 117 Seven Mile Drive properties dot the perimeter of the Dye’s Valley Course, brainchild of designers Pete Dye, Bobby Weed and 1982 Players champion Jerry Pate. — Jack Bantock, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for champion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion
  1. champ
  2. proponent
  3. advocate
  4. winner
  5. supporter
  6. endorse
  7. support
  8. exponent
Noun
  • The previous 23 World Series champs failed to repeat, but few added to their arsenal like the Dodgers did with pitchers Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki and Tanner Scott.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernández also homered in the game as the defending World Series champs are off to a great start in 2025.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of champ
Noun
  • Apple has long been a vocal proponent of the sanctity of its users’ personal data.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • George Fishman, senior legal fellow at the conservative Center of Immigration Studies and former deputy general counsel at Department of Homeland Security during the first Trump administration, has been a strong proponent of the act.
    — Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of proponent
Verb
  • Supporters commended the 46-year-old for his approach to child-raising and advocated for more fathers to follow suit while also agreeing with the actor that there was a war against masculinity.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Portfolio management textbooks have long advocated viewing asset allocation in terms of asset classes.
    — Chris Carosa, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • The right mix of upsets and safe picks is what separates the winners from the rest.
    — Kilty Cleary, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The Illini drew the winner of the First Four game between No. 11 seeds Texas (19-15) and Xavier (21-11).
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of winner
Noun
  • And in Sunday’s unique atmosphere, embracing the moment in front of a vocal crowd of Yomiuri Giants supporters.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Her comment section was filled with supporters who loved both their bond and her message.
    — Angel Saunders, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of supporter
Verb
  • There is a stark contrast between defending artistic freedom and endorsing an individual who weaponizes their platform to spread bigotry.
    — David Renzer, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Trump didn’t actually end up endorsing Massie’s primary opponent in the next election.
    — W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of endorse
Verb
  • Abelson, who was nominated by President Biden, agreed with the plaintiffs that the executive orders discourage businesses, organizations and public entities from openly supporting diversity, equity and inclusion.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Colleen Camp, Rio Mangini, Bevin Bru and JJ Green board the project in supporting roles.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of support
Noun
  • For much of the second decade of this century, these efforts were overseen by the man who became the leading exponent of forward defense: Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Brutalism is once again the matter of mainstream discourse with the release of The Brutalist, a three-and-a-half-hour film about an exponent of the style named Lászlo Tóth.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 14 Jan. 2025
Definition of exponent

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Cite this Entry

“Champion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/champion. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on champion

Nglish: Translation of champion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about champion

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