Do you know what the meaning of advocate is? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you. Read on to discover everything you need to know about the word advocate.
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Kevin
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March 25, 2022
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In our always-changing society, standing up for what you believe in by being an advocate is more important than ever. Not sure what advocate means? Don’t fret — we’ll tell you.
Read on as we explore the word advocate to uncover its definition, origin, synonyms, antonyms, and more. By the end of this article, you should have a good understanding of what it means to be an advocate and feel comfortable using the term in a sentence.
What is the Definition of Advocate?
The word advocate can be used as either a noun or a verb. As a noun, an advocate is defined as a person who represents another’s interests, similar to what a lawyer does.
Fun fact: the word literally stems from the courtroom – steeming from the Latin advocare meaning “to add a voice.”
According to Collins English Dictionary, to advocate for another is to add a voice of support for their cause or action, whereas an advocate is anyone who adds that voice by representing another person in court or supporting and working towards a particular course of action.
What Are the Synonyms and Antonyms of Advocate?
There is a wide variety of words that can be used in place of the word advocate. These words are referred to as synonyms. Synonyms, by definition, are phrases and words that have the same meaning as or are similar to another word or phrase.
By learning synonyms of words, we not only better understand the meaning of the word, but we also find great alternatives to use in written and spoken English.
Synonyms of advocate include:
- Supporter
- White Knight
- Legal counselor
- Campaigner for
- Champion
- Solicitor
- Attorney at law
- Backer
- mouthpiece
- Tub thumper
- After dinner speaker
- Prosecuting counsel
- Legal Beagle
- Promoter
- Barrister
- Crusader for
- Spokesman
- Legal executive
- Lawyer
- Vouch
- Legal witness
- Tribunal
- Attorneys
- Legal representative
- Counsel
- Attorney
- Professional pleader
- Legal advisor
Alternatively, there are a plethora of different words that have the opposite meaning of advocate. These words are known as antonyms, which are another great tool for expanding your vocabulary of the English language quickly and efficiently.
Antonyms of advocate include:
- Fault finder
- Critic
- Protestor
- Assailant
- Opposer
- Muckraker
- Apostate
- Disbeliever
- Renouncer
- Defendant
- Accused
- Plaintiff
- Client
- Offender
- Kingpin
- Skipper
- Undergoer
- Patient
- Pupil
- Caviller
- Disapporver
- Censurer
How to Use Advocate in a Sentence
Now that we understand what advocate means, we can take a look at a few ways to use it in a sentence. Practicing the proper usage of advocate in a sentence is a superb way to memorize its definition and will help you confidently incorporate the new word into your vocabulary.
Try making flashcards or taking some practice quizzes yourself to test your knowledge of the proper usage. Who knows? It may just be your newfound favorite word!
Below you will find several examples of advocate to assist you in getting started:
Earlier, I was having a conversation, and he is just as much an advocate for mandated naps for all adults as he ever was.
HarperCollins Publishers is seemingly an advocate for the dictionary of the English language, wouldn’t you agree?
Bridget is clearly a mediocre judge, but at the end of the day, she is a highly skilled advocate.
Mary was a very happy-go-lucky individual and passionate advocate for all things fluffy.
My father is the most staunch advocate of economic reform I have come in contact with.
I really like to think I am an advocate of the mind, but perhaps I am merely a daydreamer.
Devin and his love of online shopping made him an enthusiastic advocate of online technology.
What Is the Origin of Advocate?
The origin of the noun advocate dates back to the mid-14th century., defined as a lawyer or “one who pleads cases in a court of justice.”
A technical term from Romari law, from Old French avocat meaning “advocate, spokesperson” and the Latin advocātus meaning “legal counselor,” this word replaced the Middle English avocat.
Idioms and Phrases Meaning Advocate
Idioms are widely used expressions that hold a different meaning from the expression’s literal meaning.
Below we have included a list of the more well-known idioms and phrases meaning advocate:
- Go to bat for
- Knight in shining armor
- Keep posted
- Stand by
- Argue for
- Plead a client’s cause
- Tower of strength
- Fidus Achates
- Speak for
- Be in favor of
- Good Samaritan
- Pleads the cause of another in a court of law
- Grease the wheels
- Spread the word
Recap
In conclusion, when you use advocate as a noun (pronounced AD-və-kit), you are referring to a person that supports a cause, a idea, or person, most commonly in court.
Whereas when we use advocate as a verb (pronounced here as AD-vuh-keyt), you also mean to speak in favor of someone or something. For example, in today’s society, there are many groups that are currently advocating for the civil rights and equality of all people.
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