advocate

[ad-vuh-keyt, ad-vuh-kit, -keyt]

verb (used with object)

advocated, advocating 

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)

advocated, advocating 

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 byof ).

   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

Other Word Forms

• advocative adjective
• advocator noun
• nonadvocate noun
• preadvocate verb (used with object)
• readvocate verb (used with object)
• subadvocate noun
• unadvocated adjective
• well-advocated adjective
• advocatory 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

Her role as a community behavioral-health specialist involved building relationships, advocating for clients and helping them access essential services, said Marcie Vaughan, Seneca’s president and chief executive officer.

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Mining and natural gas projects -- criticized by some environmental advocates -- were among the early picks.

Read more on Barron's

Jazz was striving toward new levels of sophistication in the 1950s, as advocates for the music argued for its due consideration alongside classical music.

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After college, Rankin became an advocate and organizer for the suffrage movement in several western states and New York.

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Some safety advocates say requiring cockpit cameras would help resolve ambiguity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• back 
• campaign for www.thesaurus.com
• defend 
• encourage 
• favor 
• further 
• justify 
• press for www.thesaurus.com
• promote 
• propose 
• push 
• recommend 
• support 
• tout 
• uphold 
• urge