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
as in to advocate
to promote the interests or cause of
he has always championed the protection of abused animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of champion
Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
The comeback, however, was unsuccessful as the Panthers won game seven to become the Stanley Cup champions.
—Patrick Damp, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
For his part, Marshall, who has served as an elder and a deacon in his own church, previously championed removing a federal prohibition on churches and other religious organizations directly engaging in political campaigns.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for champion
Noun
Big West regular-season champion Hawaii, which beat Long Beach on its home court twice in the regular season, and MIVA champion Ball State (25-4) appear to be locks for the other top-four seeds.
—Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
The comeback, however, was unsuccessful as the Panthers won game seven to become the Stanley Cup champions.
—Patrick Damp, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Rampell’s writing and commentary do not reflect the views of actual neoconservatives, who champion shrinking the welfare state as well as a robustly interventionist foreign policy.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
For his part, Marshall, who has served as an elder and a deacon in his own church, previously championed removing a federal prohibition on churches and other religious organizations directly engaging in political campaigns.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for champion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for champion
Noun
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The Ducks put boot to throat with a 4-3 overtime Game 4 win at Honda Center on Sunday evening, taking a 3-1 lead in the seesaw best-of-seven series against the two-time defending conference champs.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
27 Apr. 2026
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The cheer champ was spotted watching in the stands and sporting glam (and often pointed) outfits on the sidelines as the Tar Heels played through a rocky season.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the same time, many national security proponents and experts in the intelligence community argue that such restrictions would impede law enforcement efforts and pose severe national security risks.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
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Last Tuesday, the California Secretary of State reported that proponents, led by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, had turned in more than enough valid signatures to county registrars, ensuring that voters will be given an opportunity to restore the original intent of Proposition 13.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The work to create routes takes time and money — and a push from community members advocating for a trail doesn’t hurt either.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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Such an outcome would restore funding to border and immigration enforcement priorities while sidestepping all of the structural reforms Democratic lawmakers spent months advocating after sweeping immigration enforcement action in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
McDavid had led a 3-on-1 rush that fizzled out and soon after received Bouchard’s outlet pass, returning the puck to him and earning a secondary assist for the Art Ross Trophy winner’s first point of these playoffs.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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That is the nature of Talladega, which has seen 11 different winners in the last 11 races there.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The complaints were both filed about a month apart by Jeremy Fetzer, a political consultant who also runs the political action committee Osceola Action Committee and is a supporter of Mayor Jackie Espinosa, who is herself facing ethics charges.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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The zoo, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this week, has announced plans to build a new medical center that will feature a viewing gallery for visitors, thanks to a donation of £20 million ($27 million) from a long-term supporter who is not being identified.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Everyone in the theater clammed up, as if embarrassed to have endorsed Max with laughter.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
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Some major environmental groups have endorsed him.—
Sophie Austin,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your browser does not support the video tag.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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Zendaya − Holland's fiancée (or perhaps wife, if her longtime stylist Law Roach is to be believed) − also stopped by to support, in a stunning blue-and-white sundress.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Of course, Huang wasn’t talking to just anyone, but one of the chief exponents of the wealth tax, nationwide and in California.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
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The degree of the equation is the highest exponent the polynomial has, in this case 3.—
Konstantin Kakaes,
Quanta Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Champion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/champion. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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