champion 1 of 2

noun

ˈcham-pē-ən How to pronounce champion (audio)
Definition of championnext
1
as in champ
the person who comes in first in a competition the champion of the national spelling bee

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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 champion
Noun
From films to walking tours, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the month and champion Black arts. —Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026 Tyler Reddick is your Daytona 500 champion! —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
This is also the difference between government and the larger idea of governance, which taps the energies and talents of whole communities for building the commonwealth, a reframing of democracy championed by groups like the Institute for Democracy in South Africa. —Harry Boyte, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026 Viewpoint girls begin conquest for second straight title The Patriots will enter the Division 4 bracket, one division higher than the bracket Viewpoint championed in 2024. —Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for champion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion
  1. champ
  2. proponent
  3. advocate
  4. winner
  5. supporter
  6. endorse
  7. support
  8. exponent
Noun
  • Freedom was able to avenge a district championship loss to Lake Nona by knocking off the defending state champs in a quarterfinal rematch 2-0 in overtime.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The biggest football night of the year is over and the Seahawks are champs.
    — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of champ
Noun
  • Despite his history with direct-to-streaming releases, Timothée Chalamet is a proponent of the moviegoing experience.
    — Christi Carras, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Both Nakamura and Carlsen are proponents of faster formats and are signed to esports teams.
    — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of proponent
Verb
  • Some philosophers and activists advocate for pet abolition, arguing that treating any animals as property is ethically indefensible.
    — Margret Grebowicz, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Early birds insist a morning cardio burst is superior, while night owls may advocate for a nighttime strength training session.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • Doja Cat‘s South African homecoming may have been brought to a halt when Hey Neighbour festival canceled its 2025 staging, but the Grammy winner will finally get to visit her motherland this spring.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Malinin holds just more than a five-point lead over his biggest rival, Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, with scores from both the short program and free skate added together to determine a winner.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of winner
Noun
  • To his excited supporters, Platner might just be the Democrats’ perfect populist insurgent for Maine.
    — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Unless public land supporters in office act to clarify corner crossing in law, access will continue to shrink.
    — Karlee Provenza, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of supporter
Verb
  • Millions of people watch the Olympic Games, and every logo shown on screen sends a message about what aligns with Olympic values, and what the Olympic movement chooses to endorse.
    — Ukaleq Slettemark, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Bass supported Raman during her successful 2024 reelection bid, and just weeks before announcing her mayoral run, Raman endorsed Bass for reelection.
    — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of endorse
Verb
  • My job is to keep our mission, vision, and commitment to impact front and center and to make sure our staff feel supported and able to stay focused on the work.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Trump supported Milei’s fiscal program last year with a $20-billion credit line that succeeded in calming markets and boosting Milei’s prospects in a crucial midterm election in October.
    — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • This is an unusual position for an exponent of the public sphere and communicative rationality to take.
    — Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The development of her own particular free indirect discourse form of writing culminated in her position as an early exponent of the Modernist short story.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
Definition of exponent

Browse Nearby Words

champing at the bit
champion
championed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Champion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/champion. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on champion

Nglish: Translation of champion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about champion

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