advocate

[ verb ad-vuh-keyt; noun ad-vuh-kit, -keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ad·vo·cat·ed, ad·vo·cat·ing.

1. to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly:

   He advocated higher salaries for teachers.

verb (used without object)

, ad·vo·cat·ed, ad·vo·cat·ing.

1. to act as an advocate:

   a father who advocates for his disabled child.

noun

1. a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (usually followed by of ):

   an advocate of peace.

   Synonyms: backer, proponent, champion

2. a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor.
3. a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law.

   Synonyms: solicitor, barrister, counsel, counselor, attorney, lawyer

advocate

verb

1. tr; may take a clause as object to support or recommend publicly; plead for or speak in favour of

noun

1. a person who upholds or defends a cause; supporter
2. a person who intercedes on behalf of another
3. a person who pleads his client's cause in a court of law See also barrister solicitor counsellor
4. Scots law the usual word for barrister

Derived Forms

• ˌadvoˈcatory, adjective

Other Words From

• advo·cative adjective
• advo·cator noun
• non·advo·cate noun
• pre·advo·cate noun
• pre·advo·cate verb (used with object) preadvocated preadvocating
• re·advo·cate verb (used with object) readvocated readvocating
• sub·advo·cate noun
• un·advo·cated adjective
• well-advo·cated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of advocate¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin advocātus “legal counselor,” originally past participle of advocāre “to call to one's aid,” equivalent to ad- ad- + vocāre “to call” (akin to vōx voice ); replacing Middle English avocat, from Middle French

Word History and Origins

Origin of advocate¹

C14: via Old French from Latin advocātus legal witness, advocate, from advocāre to call as witness, from vocāre to call

Example Sentences

In 2023, the renowned Supreme Court lawyer Tom Goldstein announced his retirement, explaining that when the court is controlled by a six-justice conservative supermajority, there is “very little that an advocate for the little guy can hope to accomplish anymore.”

From Slate

In Nature Partner Journals, ten researchers advocate the use of imagination in tackling the climate crisis.

From Science Daily

His mom is an advocate for early childhood education to help balance the scales for low-income youth.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, they are allowed to make an educational point by playing devil’s advocate in a class debate on contemporary American politics.

From Los Angeles Times

If a patient has a substance use disorder and another indication for a GLP-1 analog, providers — and patients themselves — should advocate for their use.

From Salon

Related Words

• backer
• campaigner
• defender
• lawyer
• promoter
• proponent
• supporter