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.

See Examples For:

advocates

Rewards credit cards have drawn criticism from consumer advocates and lawmakers over the high fees merchants must pay to accept them—and the knock-on effect that has on prices, even for shoppers who pay in cash.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

Environmental advocates and politicians across Europe have long opposed air-conditioners for their consumption of electricity.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

Faculty advocates for testing complained that the timeline could, in reality, leave UC test-free until the fall 2029 application cycle.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

This evolution — from Big Tech streaming platform and distribution network to media company — is why anti-monopoly advocates are paying closer attention.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

That expectation seems unreasonable, yet the dilemma for racial justice advocates is a real one.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander