Advocate vs. Advocator: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on March 4, 2024
An advocate is someone who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy, while "advocator" is a less common term that can be used interchangeably with advocate but is not as widely accepted in formal usage.
Key Differences
An advocate is a person who actively supports or argues for a cause, policy, or group. This role is often associated with legal professionals who represent clients in court, but it also broadly applies to anyone who champions a particular cause through public support, activism, or professional work. On the other hand, the term "advocator" serves a similar function, signifying someone who advocates for a cause or policy. However, it is less commonly used and might be considered less formal or traditional than "advocate."
Advocates play a crucial role in shaping public opinion, influencing policy, and effecting legislative change. They use various platforms, including litigation, public speaking, and media engagement, to advance their causes. Conversely, the term "advocator," while conveying a similar commitment to advocacy, does not carry the same professional or legal connotations as "advocate." It may be used to describe individuals who support causes with passion and dedication but without implying a specific professional qualification or role.
Both advocate and advocator refer to supporting and promoting causes, "advocate" is the preferred term in professional, legal, and formal contexts due to its widespread acceptance and specific connotations related to legal representation and professional advocacy. "Advocator," though understandable, is less commonly used and may be seen as more informal or general.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A person who publicly supports or argues for a cause or policy.
A less common term for someone who supports a cause or policy.
Usage
Widely used in legal, professional, and formal contexts.
Less commonly used, with a more informal or general connotation.
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Professional Association
Often associated with legal professionals and formal advocacy roles.
Does not imply a specific professional qualification or role.
Connotation
Implies a level of professionalism, expertise, or legal standing.
More generic, without specific professional or legal implications.
Preference
Preferred in formal discussions, legal contexts, and professional advocacy.
May be used interchangeably with advocate
Advocate and Advocator Definitions
Advocate
Advocates may lead organizations or movements.
The advocate founded a nonprofit to support educational equity.
Advocator
An advocator passionately supports social causes.
As an advocator for animal rights, she organizes local awareness campaigns.
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Advocate
Advocates work to influence public policy and opinion.
As an advocate for the homeless, he lobbies for more affordable housing.
Advocator
"Advocator" is less formal but understood in advocacy contexts.
She's known as an advocator for free speech in her community.
Advocate
Lawyers are often called advocates when representing clients.
The advocate presented a compelling case for the defense.
Advocator
The term advocator may appear in informal discussions.
He's an advocator for using technology in education reform.
Advocate
To speak, plead, or argue in favor of
Advocate a vegan diet.
Advocator
Advocators often participate in grassroots movements.
Local advocators rallied for clean water initiatives.
Advocate
Usage Problem To act as an advocate
Advocated for her patients.
Advocated for more stringent crime laws.
Advocator
Advocators can be anyone committed to a cause.
Volunteers acting as advocators for the food bank drive helped gather significant donations.
Advocate
One that argues for a cause; a supporter or defender
An advocate of civil rights.
Advocator
To speak, plead, or argue in favor of
Advocate a vegan diet.
Advocate
One that pleads in another's behalf; an intercessor
Advocates for abused children and spouses.
Advocator
Usage Problem To act as an advocate
Advocated for her patients.
Advocated for more stringent crime laws.
Advocate
A lawyer.
Advocator
One that argues for a cause; a supporter or defender
An advocate of civil rights.
Advocate
Someone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law; a counsel.
Advocator
One that pleads in another's behalf; an intercessor
Advocates for abused children and spouses.
Advocate
Anyone who argues the case of another; an intercessor.
Advocator
A lawyer.
Advocate
A person who speaks in support of something, or someone.
Advocator
One who advocates; an advocate
Advocate
A person who supports others to make their voices heard, or ideally for them to speak up for themselves.
Since she started working with her advocate, she has become much more confident.
Advocator
A person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
Advocate
(transitive) To plead in favour of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
Advocate
(transitive) To encourage support for something.
I like trees, but I do not advocate living in them.
Advocate
To engage in advocacy.
We have been advocating for changes in immigration law.
Advocate
To appeal from an inferior court to the Court of Session.
Advocate
To call a case before itself for decision.
Advocate
One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.
Advocate
One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.
Advocate
Christ, considered as an intercessor.
We have an Advocate with the Father.
Advocate
To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
To advocate the cause of thy client.
This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated.
Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause.
Advocate
To act as advocate.
Advocate
A person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
Advocate
A lawyer who pleads cases in court
Advocate
Push for something;
The travel agent recommended strongly that we not travel on Thanksgiving Day
Advocate
Speak, plead, or argue in favour of;
The doctor advocated a smoking ban in the entire house
Advocate
An advocate supports causes through public speaking, litigation, or activism.
She is an advocate for climate change action, speaking at international forums.
Advocate
An advocate uses expertise to support causes.
He's an advocate for mental health, using his psychology background to raise awareness.
FAQs
Can anyone be an advocator?
Yes, anyone passionate about a cause and willing to support it can be considered an advocator, regardless of their formal qualifications.
Why is "advocate" preferred over "advocator"?
"Advocate" is preferred due to its established usage in legal, professional, and formal advocacy roles, conveying a sense of professionalism and expertise.
Are advocates always lawyers?
While advocates can be lawyers, especially in contexts where legal representation is involved, the term also broadly applies to anyone who supports a cause professionally or publicly.
Can the term advocator be used in professional settings?
Although it's understood, "advocator" is less commonly used in professional settings, where "advocate" is preferred for its formal and established connotations.
Can an advocator work in legal contexts?
While the term "advocator" can describe someone supporting causes, "advocate" is the appropriate term for someone representing clients or causes in legal contexts.
Do advocators have a role in policy-making?
Yes, advocators can influence policy-making by raising awareness, lobbying, and mobilizing public support for legislative changes, though "advocate" is the term more commonly used in such formal engagements.
How do advocates differ from activists?
Advocates often work within legal and formal channels to support causes, while activists may employ more direct action, including protests and campaigns, to bring about change. Both aim to promote societal change but may use different methods.
What is an advocate?
An advocate is someone who actively supports or argues in favor of a cause, policy, or group, often in a professional or legal capacity.
Is there a difference between an advocate and an advocator?
The main difference lies in usage; "advocate" is more formally recognized, especially in legal and professional contexts, while "advocator" is less common and more informal.
What skills are important for advocates and advocators?
Key skills include effective communication, persuasion, in-depth understanding of their cause, and the ability to mobilize and inspire others.
How can one find opportunities to advocate for a cause?
Opportunities can be found through volunteering with non-profit organizations, participating in community groups, engaging in policy work, or working with legal advocacy groups. Social media and professional networking sites also offer platforms for advocacy.
How do advocates and advocators influence society?
Both play crucial roles in shaping public opinion, influencing policy, and advocating for legislative changes to support various causes and communities.
Can advocacy be a career?
Yes, advocacy can be a career in various sectors, including non-profit organizations, legal advocacy, governmental agencies, and private firms focused on public relations, environmental issues, health care, and more.
Are there ethical considerations for advocates?
Yes, ethical considerations include maintaining honesty, respecting confidentiality, ensuring that advocacy efforts do not harm the intended beneficiaries or other parties, and being transparent about funding or conflicts of interest.
Can advocacy change laws?
Yes, effective advocacy can lead to changes in laws and regulations by influencing policymakers, raising public awareness, and mobilizing support for legislative change.
What education is required to become an advocate?
For legal advocacy, a law degree is typically required. However, for other forms of advocacy, such as policy or social advocacy, education may vary widely and include degrees in social sciences, communications, or specific fields related to the cause.
What are the risks of being an advocate or advocator?
Advocates and advocators may face risks such as legal challenges, opposition, or backlash from those with differing views, and in some cases, threats to their personal safety, depending on the cause and context of their advocacy.
How do advocates and advocators get funded?
Funding can come from a variety of sources, including grants from governments or foundations, donations from individuals or corporations, membership fees, or through providing paid services.
What is the role of social media in advocacy?
Social media plays a significant role in advocacy by providing a platform for raising awareness, engaging with supporters, mobilizing action, and putting pressure on policymakers or organizations.
How can someone measure the impact of their advocacy?
The impact of advocacy can be measured by changes in public policy, shifts in public opinion, increased awareness of an issue, changes in behavior or practices, and the achievement of specific advocacy campaign goals.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
