The difference between Advocate and Opponent

When used as nouns, advocate means someone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law, whereas opponent means one who opposes another.


Advocate is also verb with the meaning: to plead in favour of.

Opponent is also adjective with the meaning: opposing.

check bellow for the other definitions of Advocate and Opponent

  1. Advocate as a noun:

    Someone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law; a counsel.

  2. Advocate as a noun:

    Anyone who argues the case of another; an intercessor.

  3. Advocate as a noun:

    A person who speaks in support of something.

  4. Advocate as a noun:

    A person who supports others to make their voices heard, or ideally for them to speak up for themselves.

    Examples:

    "Since she started working with her advocate, she has become much more confident."

  1. Advocate as a verb (transitive):

    To plead in favour of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.

  2. Advocate as a verb (transitive):

    To encourage support for something.

    Examples:

    "I like trees, but I do not advocate living in them."

  3. Advocate as a verb (intransitive, with ''for''):

    To engage in advocacy.

    Examples:

    "We have been advocating for changes in immigration law."

  1. Opponent as a noun (historical):

    One who opposes another; one who works or takes a position against someone or something; one who attempts to stop the progress of someone or something. One who opposes another physically (in a fight, sport, game, or competition). One who opposes another in words (in a dispute, argument or controversy). One who is opposed or objects (to a policy, course of action or set of ideas). The participant who opens an academic debate by putting forward objections to a theological or philosophical thesis.

    Examples:

    "The person who ran against her in the last election proved to be a formidable opponent."

    "During the crackdown, many opponents of the regime were arrested."

    "She was a dedicated opponent of the death penalty."

  1. Opponent as an adjective (obsolete):

    Opposing; adverse; antagonistic.

  2. Opponent as an adjective (obsolete):

    Situated in front; opposite.