advocates

NOUN

person supporting an idea or cause publicly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

backer campaigner defender lawyer promoter proponent supporter

STRONG

apostle attorney champion counsel exponent expounder pleader proposer speaker spokesperson upholder

Antonyms

STRONGEST

opponent

WEAK

antagonist assailant enemy opposition protestor

VERB

support idea or cause publicly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

back campaign for defend encourage favor further justify press for promote propose push recommend support tout uphold urge

STRONG

advance advise bless bolster boost champion countenance plug side vindicate

WEAK

argue for be in corner brace up build up get on bandwagon give a leg up give a lift go for go to bat for go with hold with plead for plump for ride shotgun for root for run interference for say so speak for spread around stump for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block conceal condemn deny disapprove discourage dissuade hide hinder hurt oppose refuse reject

STRONG

decrease halt prevent undermine

WEAK

assail attack criticize impugn protest

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Advocates describe this dynamic as the “boss lottery,” Schulte said.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 7, 2026

Advocates say the funds would help build more than 40,000 shovel-ready affordable homes that are unable to move forward because of a financing gap and help preserve thousands of other existing units.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026

Advocates say clinics spend too much on executive pay and other administrative costs and not enough on patient care.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026

Advocates are beating back policies that make it a crime to be homeless and fighting to affirm the rights of their homeless neighbors.

From Slate • Jun. 27, 2026

Advocates working for the cures of various tragic diseases regularly do the same.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt