ADVOCATES Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

advocates 1 of 2

noun

plural of advocate

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

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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

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advocates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of advocate

as in endorses

to promote the interests or cause of environmentalists advocating agricultural methods designed to slow the destruction of rain forests

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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

Noun

Sanders has been one of Platner’s most staunch advocates since launching his campaign. — Haris Alic, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2026 For some longtime advocates, the fear is more than just existential. — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 1 July 2026 These cases where dual-class shares have gone awry are often cited by good governance advocates as justification for sunsetting dual-class shares across the board. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026 The June 25 withdrawal deadline for ballot measures has passed, and with it some contentious deals were brokered among the Legislature, anti-tax advocates, business groups and labor unions. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026 Ferguson and Yaeckel are climate advocates with the San Diego chapters of the Citizens Climate Lobby. — James Ferguson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026 Local advocates are pushing prefab even further, pitching off‑grid cottage villages powered by solar and advanced water recycling — an affordable, sustainable vision that may test Altadena’s appetite for denser housing. — Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 The Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus recently brought together supporters, advocates, and leaders for an event centered on connection, recognition, and joy. — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Sustainable energy advocates brought similar concerns to the Jackson County Legislature shortly before the body passed a 180-day moratorium on both data center and BESS zoning in unincorporated areas of the county. — Ilana Arougheti july 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

Verb

Civil liberties advocates say Streever's email is not a threat. — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 July 2026 The nonprofit group advocates for privacy and free speech online. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 June 2026 Throughout the season, Sydney advocates for the kitchen to function without people constantly yelling over each other. — Matt Minton, Variety, 26 June 2026 As free press advocates rail against the privacy act lawsuit, Fox News commended the stay in a statement shared with The Guardian. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 June 2026 The group advocates for civil rights protections for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Most spoke on behalf of the Shawnee Mission chapter of Schools Beyond Screens, an organization that advocates for greater regulation of technology in schools. — Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 Immigrant advocates hope to have a more vocal champion in Becerra, the favorite to become governor in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 2 to 1. — Christine Mai-Duc, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 Cumberbatch advocates for compassionate yet competitive leadership and underscores the vital role of PMI chapters as community anchors for a virtual workforce. — Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for advocates

Noun

Stream-access proponents took a similar approach in 2010, after a landowner on the Taylor River strung cables from bank to bank to keep a rafting company from floating down.

— Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026
Many proponents believe that access to affordable models will act as a leveler, allowing smaller enterprises to innovate, test, and gain insights in ways previously that were previously much more challenging.

— Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 22 June 2026

Definition of proponents

Noun

Unable to function in the real world, the kid then surrounds himself with publicists, lawyers and all sorts of professional help to smooth the transition.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 July 2026
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has used his office to intervene on behalf of donors since taking office last year, inserting the state’s lawyers in civil disputes to help developers and car dealers.

— Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Definition of lawyers

Verb

The court’s 6-3 decision in Slaughter also effectively endorses the unitary executive theory, thereby greatly expanding the power of the president.

— Graham G. Dodds, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
Today, the 20-minute rule remains one of the foundational pillars of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) — a treatment that Walker notes the American Academy of Sleep Medicine endorses as the first-line approach for chronic insomnia, ahead of pharmaceutical interventions.

— Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Definition of endorses

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advocated

advocates

advocating

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“Advocates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/advocates. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of advocates

noun

verb

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