champions
Those who prevail
Champions are winners of competitions or those who have proven themselves the best in their field.
The word carries connotations of sustained excellence rather than a single lucky victory.
Champion also functions as a verb meaning to support or defend a cause vigorously: She championed workers' rights throughout her career.
As an adjective, particularly in British English, champion means excellent or first-rate.
Those who prevail
- medalistsCompetition's top finishers
- titleholdersCurrent holders of supremacy
- conquerorsThose who defeat and dominate
- prizewinnersCompetition success recipients
finalists · laureates · undefeated · podium · number-one · cupholders · titlists · underdogs
People who back something
- defendersThose who shield others
- activistsPeople working for causes
- proponentsSupporters of a position
- alliesCooperative partners united together
campaigners · backers · promoters · crusaders · spokespersons · patrons · endorsers · upholders
Resounding, celebrated victory
- victoryDefeating an opponent
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- famePublic recognition, widespread
- renownWidespread acclaim and recognition
accolades · laurels · trophies · medals · prestige · celebration · ceremony · crown
Multi-round competitive event
- finalsConcluding tests or matches
- playoffsChampionship elimination series
- titleFormal honorific or name
- cupSmall drinking container
league · division · bracket · elimination · knockout · semifinal · quarterfinal · showdown
One who commands
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
visionary · standard-bearer · torchbearer · figurehead · icon · exemplar · motivator · guide
winners
Those who prevail
- medalistsCompetition's top finishers
- titleholdersCurrent holders of supremacy
- conquerorsThose who defeat and dominate
prizewinners · finalists · laureates · undefeated · podium · number-one · cupholders · titlists · underdogs · comeback
supporters
People who back something
- defendersThose who shield others
- activistsPeople working for causes
- proponentsSupporters of a position
allies · campaigners · backers · promoters · crusaders · spokespersons · patrons · endorsers · upholders · protectors
triumph
Resounding, celebrated victory
renown · accolades · laurels · trophies · medals · prestige · celebration · ceremony · crown · coronation
tournament
Multi-round competitive event
- finalsConcluding tests or matches
- playoffsChampionship elimination series
- titleFormal honorific or name
cup · league · division · bracket · elimination · knockout · semifinal · quarterfinal · showdown · rivalry
captain
One who commands
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
pioneer · visionary · standard-bearer · torchbearer · figurehead · icon · exemplar · motivator · guide · influence
- athletesathlete, Olympian, swimmers, runner, swimmer
- footballfootball, touchdown, field goal, quarterback, end zone
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- horse racingthoroughbred, horse racing, racehorse, flat race, horses
- centres of attentioncelebrities, stars, headliners, main attraction, star attraction
- championsgold medalists, titleholders, victors, first place, prize winners
championslosers
Unsuccessful competitors
also-rans · runners-up · defeated · vanquished · failures
championsopponents
Those who compete against
antagonists · detractors · critics · attackers · adversaries
championsnobodies
Unimportant, unknown persons
mediocrities · unknowns · nonentities · also-rans · undistinguished
- national championshipCountry-level competitive title
- world championTop-ranked competitor internationally
- heavyweight championTop boxer, largest class
- championship ringsJewelry awarded to champions
- world championshipTop-tier international tournament victory
- national championCountrywide competition victor
champion, championship, championed, championing, championships