advocate

AD-vuh-kuht/ˈæd.və.kət/

As a verbAD-vuh-kayt

9 meanings of advocate

1
nouncountable
A person who speaks up in support of an idea or a group.
Like a friend who stands up and speaks for you when you can't.
She is a strong advocate for cleaner parks in her town.
Many advocates spoke at the meeting about safer roads.
Similarproponent, supporter, champion, backer, promoter
Oppositeopponent, critic, detractor
Note
2
verbtransitive
To speak in favor of something so that other people support it too.
Like cheering for a team so others will cheer too.
Doctors advocate healthy eating for young children.
The group advocates recycling in every school.
Similarpromote, champion, support, endorse, recommend
Oppositeoppose
Note
3
verbtransitive
To speak up for something or defend it with arguments in public or in court.
Like standing up in front of others to argue why your idea is right.
The lawyer advocated his client's release at the hearing.
Teachers advocate smaller class sizes every year.
Similarsupport, recommend, champion, defend, argue
Oppositeoppose
Note
4
nouncountable
A person who helps others share their needs, or who helps them speak up for themselves.
Like a helper who stands beside you so your voice gets heard.
Her advocate helped her explain her needs to the doctors.
The school provides advocates for students who struggle to be heard.
Similarrepresentative
5
nouncountable
A person who argues for someone else and speaks on their behalf.
Like a friend who speaks for you when you are not able to.
He acted as an advocate for his younger brother during the dispute.
The villagers needed advocates to argue their case with the council.
Similarchampion, spokesperson, representative, defender
Note
6
verbintransitive
To work to support a cause by speaking up for it.
Like joining a march to help support something you believe in.
She advocates on behalf of homeless families.
Many volunteers advocate for stronger animal protection laws.
Similarcampaign, lobby, fight, press
Note
7
nouncountable
A lawyer whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court.
Like a speaker in court who argues for you so the judge listens.
Her advocate presented the case to the judge.
The court appointed an advocate to represent the accused man.
Similarbarrister, counsel, lawyer, attorney
Note
8
verbtransitive
In Scottish law, to take a case from a lower court up to a higher one.
Like asking a bigger boss to look again at a decision the smaller one made.
The losing party chose to advocate the case to the higher court.
They advocated the dispute after the sheriff's ruling went against them.
Note
9
verbtransitive
In Scottish law, for a higher court to take a case so it can decide it itself.
Like a head teacher deciding to handle a problem instead of leaving it to others.
The senior court chose to advocate the case and rule on it directly.
The high court advocated the matter to settle it without delay.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin advocatus, meaning 'an advocate', from advocare meaning 'to call for'. The verb comes from the noun.