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Synonyms

advocacy

American  
[ad-vuh-kuh-see] / ˈæd və kə si /

noun

plural

advocacies

  1. the act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending; active espousal.

    He was known for his advocacy of states' rights.
advocacy British  
/ ˈædvəkəsɪ /

noun

  1. active support, esp of a cause

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonadvocacy noun
  • preadvocacy noun

Etymology

Origin of advocacy

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English advocacye, from Medieval Latin advocātia; advocate, -acy

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.

The process would open the door to something akin to a partial privatization of the domestic-fuel market, said Rick Herrero, director of the Washington-based Cuba Study Group, a policy and advocacy organization.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The university said the doctorate is in recognition of his contributions to public service, environmental advocacy and the arts.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Some child advocacy groups and lawmakers, though, say these changes aren’t enough.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Nerdeen Kiswani leads Within Our Lifetime, a Palestinian advocacy group active in New York City, and has been a key figure in organizing protests particularly focused on the Gaza war.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Despite its unyielding advocacy of Negro economic empowerment, Hampton Institute’s stance on integration had always been of the go- slow variety, wartime president Malcolm MacLean being a notable exception.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.