standard bearers
Those carrying flags
Standard bearers originally carried the flag or banner that identified a military unit in battle—a position of honor and danger.
The meaning has extended to anyone who leads or represents a cause, movement, or organization: She became the standard bearer for progressive education reform.
Also spelled as one word or hyphenated.
- crusaderZealous advocate for change
- flag carrierState-associated commercial airline
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- spokespersonAuthorized representative communicator
- point personDesignated coordinator or contact
movement leader · advocate · knight · herald · ensign · vanguard · leading light · exemplar · moral compass · revolutionary · color guard · martyr · trailblazer · figurehead · old guard · pioneer · reformer · patriot
- trailblazerstrailblazers, pioneers, innovators, groundbreakers, forerunners
- Terciospikemen, musketeers, halberdiers, captains, sergeants
- militarysoldiers, army, troops, officers, navy
- parade participantsmarching band, floats, drum majors, majorettes, baton twirlers
- torchbearers
- ancient armiesphalanx, legion, hoplites, heavy infantry, light infantry
standard bearersfollowers
People who support someone
rank and file · foot soldiers · disciples · subordinates · underlings
standard bearersopponents
Those who compete against
detractors · traitors · turncoats · defectors · apostates
standard bearersnobodies
Unimportant, unknown persons
unknowns · silent majority · rank and file · invisible hands
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