champions

NOUN

defeater in competition; preeminent supporter

Synonyms

STRONGEST

challenger champ defender hero medalist number one winner

STRONG

advocate ally backer conqueror endorser exponent expounder guardian heroine nonpareil paladin partisan patron proponent protector supporter sympathizer upholder vanquisher victor vindicator warrior

WEAK

numero uno the greatest titleholder top dog

Antonyms

STRONG

antagonist enemy loser opponent opposition

VERB

advocate, support

Synonyms

STRONGEST

defend espouse fight for promote uphold

STRONG

back battle contend patronize support

WEAK

go to bat for plead for put in a good word for ride shotgun for side with stand behind stand up for thump for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

forsake

STRONG

oppose

WEAK

be against

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.

Dubbed "The World's Most Famous Arena," the 20,000-seat venue is the home of the New York Knicks, the most recent NBA champions, as well as the New York Rangers ice hockey team.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

The four-time champions had won every single World Cup penalty shootout they’d ever been involved in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

The hero of this round-of-32 shootout was Paraguay’s 26-year-old goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who stopped two German efforts to give the No. 34-ranked country in the world a chance to dethrone the four-time champions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, working for German television during the World Cup, likened Tah's disallowed goal to many which Premier League champions Arsenal had scored throughout the season.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

“That’s what I’m telling you. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball.”

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling