CHAMPIONS Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

champions 1 of 2

noun

plural of champion

as in champs

the person who comes in first in a competition the champion of the national spelling bee

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

losers

as in proponents

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

champions

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of champion

as in advocates

to promote the interests or cause of he has always championed the protection of abused animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of champions

Noun

The event returns to Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday with a full slate of matches and the possibility of new world champions being crowned in front of more than 40,000 people. — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The international champions took the lead for good on a two-run double by Jaymiell Martina in the fourth. — Alex Harkins, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 There were plenty available at adjacent practice courts, where the Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka were warming up. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 Gonzalez will be tasked with getting the defending MLS champions back on track heading into the final stretch of the regular season and the playoffs. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 All these new champions could be overshadowed by two veterans as long-running talks grind on for a blockbuster fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, without a major title at stake. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 These former champions of AI data center investment in their states are now placing stricter standards on construction projects and requiring additional disclosures to root out more speculative activity. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 Clark, a second-round draft pick by the defending Super Bowl champions, was injured on Seattle’s first defensive snap in a 19-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 The champions began the season with a bang, beating Monza 4-1. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

Nordstrom also champions human interaction as a brand differentiator. — John Hall, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 City Forward is a nonprofit group that champions high-quality school options for students and has been critical of the performance of the Milwaukee Public Schools. — Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 17 Aug. 2026 Inspired by the actions of New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who champions issues like access to childcare and housing, Lara said she felt called to vote for Francesca Hong for Governor, another democratic socialist like the mayor. — Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The Declaration champions the right to alter or abolish government destructive of life, liberty, and happiness. — Brian Delay, Mercury News, 4 July 2026 Gould champions the idea of holding dog owners accountable for properly training and containing their dogs. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026 It’s known for chef Barclay Dodge’s hyper-seasonal menu that champions the fertile soil of the area. — Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026 This is the theme that will mark the 2026 edition of Homo Faber, the biennial event that champions artisanal talent by showcasing a variety of materials, techniques and skills through live demonstrations, immersive experiences and unique creations from all over the world. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 9 June 2026 Eli Manning trades with an Italian legend New York Giants Super Bowl champions Eli Manning and Shaun O'Hara were on hand and exchanged stickers with Alessandro Nesta, a center back on Italy's World Cup-winning side in 2006. — Luis Miguel Echegaray, CBS News, 4 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for champions

Noun

When the team hosted a 20th anniversary reunion for the 2002 champs, the players were forced to pay their own travel expenses.

— Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
The two-time defending national champs from Michigan scored 28 unanswered in the second half to ice the Gorillas in their opener at Carnie Smith Stadium.

— The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of champs

Noun

What may be alarming to proponents of data privacy is exciting for marketers.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
The bill’s proponents have maintained that the law will crack down on voter fraud and is a step toward strengthening voter integrity laws.

— Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of proponents

Verb

Michael Schnieder of Streets for All, a group that advocates for bike lanes, bus lanes and pedestrian safety measures, said the language would jeopardize street safety improvements, which include a push for bike lanes protected by barriers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
The number of people detained by ICE increased by 58% – or more than 25,000 people – between 2025 and 2026, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, which advocates to end mass incarceration.

— Ella Siegrist, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of advocates

Noun

As winners take the stage, the audience showers them with paper airplanes.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
But as was the case on Emmy-nominations morning, there are sure to be surprises when the final Emmy winners are announced on September 14.

— Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of winners

Noun

Was The Friedkin Group's decision not to sell the homegrown midfielder a victory for those loyal supporters who campaigned to keep him?

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Capcom has proven itself to be one of the platform's biggest supporters, bringing nearly all of its new and old releases to the platform.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of supporters

Noun

His mind didn’t go blank; rather, all the what-ifs multiplied like exponents, crowding his thoughts and rendering him unable to envision anything else.

— Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
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

Definition of exponents

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championing

champions

championship

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Style

“Champions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/champions. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of champions

noun

verb

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