1
as in proponents
a person who actively supports or favors a cause
Mark Twain, Noah Webster, and President Theodore Roosevelt are among past advocates of a reformed spelling system
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lawyers
a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations
with such a strong case against him, he's going to need the best advocate that money can buy
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in endorses
to promote the interests or cause of
environmentalists advocating agricultural methods designed to slow the destruction of rain forests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 advocates
Ashley Grams, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The findings also align with what immigrant-rights advocates and immigration attorneys are seeing in real time.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
But some Democratic lawmakers and consumer advocates say the state should step in.
—Vanessa G. Sánchez, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026
Human rights advocates condemned the report as a cover-up.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The law, criticized by free speech advocates, allows a top official at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to designate a group as a domestic or foreign terrorist organization, with the governor and three other members of the Florida Cabinet approving or rejecting the designation.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
As Kansas City considers big changes to its rules for developers seeking tax breaks, local affordable housing advocates want officials to pump the brakes and think more about the consequences of such a shift.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Consumer advocates said the findings support SB 1076, a bill that would require insurers to offer coverage to homeowners who meet state fire safety standards.
—City News Service, Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
The guidelines quickly drew condemnation from advocates and civil rights groups, who pointed out those guidelines allow judges to exclude members of the public from a remote-only hearing — effectively placing proceedings behind closed doors.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Patrick Wilson, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
With this in mind, the American Academy of Pediatrics advocates for the health of all children who must avoid certain foods to stay healthy.
—Dr. Sonja O'Leary, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The National Low Income Housing Coalition advocates on behalf of people with the lowest incomes, whose access to affordable, quality housing is especially challenging in today’s economy.
—Bob Woods, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
It's also done for the joy, said Jessica Lautz, vice president of research for the National Association of Realtors, an organization that advocates for property rights and represents its real estate members.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
As an initial step, the CRFB advocates capping what these formerly super-high-earners, garnering the biggest payments, will receive going forward.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
That's concerning to Erika Lorshbough, the executive director of interACT, a nonprofit that advocates for intersex youth.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
In the days before Metro’s pivotal board vote, speculation swirled among public transit advocates that Bass, a key member of the board who appoints three other members, might seek to delay approval for the project based on community concerns.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The Union of Concerned Scientists is an organization that advocates for scientific integrity.
—Lisa Song, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
At the time, advocates told WCCO the approach focuses on harm reduction and helping both communities and users stay safer while working toward recovery.
—Ashley Grams, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The findings also align with what immigrant-rights advocates and immigration attorneys are seeing in real time.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
But some Democratic lawmakers and consumer advocates say the state should step in.
—Vanessa G. Sánchez, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026
Human rights advocates condemned the report as a cover-up.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The law, criticized by free speech advocates, allows a top official at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to designate a group as a domestic or foreign terrorist organization, with the governor and three other members of the Florida Cabinet approving or rejecting the designation.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
As Kansas City considers big changes to its rules for developers seeking tax breaks, local affordable housing advocates want officials to pump the brakes and think more about the consequences of such a shift.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Consumer advocates said the findings support SB 1076, a bill that would require insurers to offer coverage to homeowners who meet state fire safety standards.
—City News Service, Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
The guidelines quickly drew condemnation from advocates and civil rights groups, who pointed out those guidelines allow judges to exclude members of the public from a remote-only hearing — effectively placing proceedings behind closed doors.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
His coverage is funded by The Just Trust, a nonprofit that advocates for a humane justice system and reforms to problems in the system.
—Patrick Wilson, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
With this in mind, the American Academy of Pediatrics advocates for the health of all children who must avoid certain foods to stay healthy.
—Dr. Sonja O'Leary, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The National Low Income Housing Coalition advocates on behalf of people with the lowest incomes, whose access to affordable, quality housing is especially challenging in today’s economy.
—Bob Woods, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
It's also done for the joy, said Jessica Lautz, vice president of research for the National Association of Realtors, an organization that advocates for property rights and represents its real estate members.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
As an initial step, the CRFB advocates capping what these formerly super-high-earners, garnering the biggest payments, will receive going forward.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
That's concerning to Erika Lorshbough, the executive director of interACT, a nonprofit that advocates for intersex youth.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
In the days before Metro’s pivotal board vote, speculation swirled among public transit advocates that Bass, a key member of the board who appoints three other members, might seek to delay approval for the project based on community concerns.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The Union of Concerned Scientists is an organization that advocates for scientific integrity.
—Lisa Song, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for advocates
Noun
-
Known in research circles as authoritarian parenting, this style certainly has its proponents.—
Kelley King Heyworth,
Parents,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But for Project Plowshare’s biggest proponents, atomic excavation remained a worthwhile goal.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nevada County’s admission comes as AI programs are under close watch around the globe for introducing incorrect legal references in cases, yet also increasingly offered as tools to help lawyers and judges research and write their briefs, motions and opinions.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Boasberg later ordered two Justice Department lawyers to testify.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Founded in 1935, the Lake Forest Caucus vets residents interested in serving on city boards and commissions and endorses candidates for local offices, including mayor, City Council, and the city’s two local public school boards.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The cops are rendered so clueless and so steadfast in their stupidity, the series accidentally endorses ACAB.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After the Justice Department memo, however, the president suggested there was nothing more to say about Epstein and the country, including his own supporters, should simply move on.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The official campaign had focussed its resources on Iowa and New Hampshire, which left a late-primary state like New York with few channels for supporters’ enthusiasm.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Norris supports paper ballots instead of voting machines, according to his campaign website.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
More noteworthy initiatives include the hotel’s green roof, which supports urban biodiversity, and its five-year Habitat Management Plan, run by a team of ecologists.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kat Chan, nutritionist and author of Substack’s Full Serving, champions it as one of the most grounding ways to start the day, particularly in colder months.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Crosswell has secured a series of high-profile endorsements, including from the VoteVets political action group, which champions Democratic political candidates.—
Scott MacFarlane,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Advocates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/advocates. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
