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

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Recent Examples of champion

Noun

This case is entirely separate from the 100-plus charges the Premier League brought against its champions in February 2023 following a four-year investigation. —

Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025 After becoming a New England champion at 113 pounds his freshman year, the next morning was like Christmas Day for the new sophomore sensation for the ISL juggernaut of Belmont Hill. —

Brian Fabry, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2025

Verb

His radical approach to form and content is unlike anything usually campaigned for and championed in the mainstream. —

Zac Ntim, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025 French critics and filmmakers championed the film, and Americans gave it another chance. —

John Semley, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for champion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion

Noun

Hall of Fame linebacker Dave Robinson, who played for those Green Bay title teams, said there's no question his Packers were undisputed world champs in pro football for three consecutive years.

— David K. Li, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Super Bowl champs visiting the White House is a decades-old tradition that began with Jimmy Carter in 1980.

— Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025