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to advocate for

to advocate for

69 3.9
Publicly support a cause, policy, or idea
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈæd.və.keɪt fɔr/
translation icon : abogar por
  • She decided to advocate for environmental protection during the town meeting.
  • advocate for policies
  • advocate for rights
  • advocate for funding

The NRA, they very much advocate for locking up the guns.

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Examples

  • How has your ability to advocate for your child been influenced by your professional role?

    Academic text (2008)
  • Encourages staff to advocate for improvements in service delivery and client resources.

    Academic text (2011)
  • What should they advocate for and what should their next steps be?

  • And so I wanted to know, how do I advocate for someone like my brother?

  • Why are people struggling to advocate for the problems of boys and men so easily?

  • It's the biggest non-profit in the country advocating for women worldwide.

  • Throughout all phases of family intervention, treatment providers encourage and advocate for the education of homeless children.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The Electronic Frontier Foundation is a Washington, D.C.-based group that advocates individual rights for computer users.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The school counselor may advocate for extended deadlines or more support in completing assignments.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Four Pepperdine alumni traveled to Uganda to advocate for children held in prison without trial.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

to defend
vsto advocate for
691 2.8

To speak up to support a person or idea when others criticize it

is more about promoting a cause publicly rather than reacting to attack
to advocate
vsto advocate for
343 3.7

To support a cause or policy in public

is the phrasal expression commonly used to show public support
to stand up for
vsto advocate for
256 2.7

Defend or support someone who is treated unfairly

is broader, covering general public promotion not only defence situations
to stand for
vsto advocate for
215 2.8

To publicly support an idea or cause

focuses on publicly arguing in favor rather than just representing it
to preach
vsto advocate for
192 3.8

Talk to people to persuade them to support a cause

is more neutral and practical, focusing on public argument without fervor
to lobby
vsto advocate for
100 4.0

To try to persuade public officials to support a policy or decision

is broader public support that is not limited to influencing officials
to champion
vsto advocate for
64 4.2

To publicly support a cause or person

is mainly about arguing in favor rather than active protection
to espouse
vsto advocate for
  • Formal
52 7.8

To accept and support a belief, cause, or way of life

is focused on public argument and promotion rather than personal adoption
to make a stand
vsto advocate for
23 4.6

Publicly say you strongly agree or disagree with something

is less about a single decisive stance and more ongoing advocacy
to agitate
vsto advocate for
11 5.6

To try to make political or social change

is general public support without the strong activist campaigning focus
to put the case
vsto advocate for
1 7.1

Give reasons for or against an idea

is broader, including ongoing public promotion beyond a single argument
to take up the cudgel
vsto advocate for
  • Archaic
8.9

Begin to strongly defend a person or cause in public

is everyday public arguing that may be less vigorous or dramatic

How Strongly

to champion
64 4.2
to lobby
100 4.0
to campaign
344 3.9
to advocate for
69 3.9
to endorse
183 4.2
to support
1.0

Surface Forms

advocate for infinitive
advocated for past participle
advocating for present participle
advocates for third person singular

Morphology

advocate + for

The meaning 'to publicly support or argue in favor' is directly compositional from 'advocate' (one who supports; or the verbal sense 'to support') combined with the preposition 'for' (in favor of). This verb + preposition pattern is literal and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should be able to infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The verb advocate for comes from the simple image of an advocate, a person standing up to speak for someone or an idea. So, it means 'to support' an idea, person, or cause in public.