advocate
Verb
Easy difficulty
What does “advocate” mean?
verb.to publicly recommend or support a particular cause or policy.
SAT Usage
This term often appears in passages related to social issues, policy debates, or activism. It emphasizes a strong, proactive support for a cause, distinguishing itself from similar words like "suggest" or "promote," which may imply a less passionate or committed stance.
Common Confusions
Advocate implies a strong, active support for a cause, while endorse usually suggests a more passive, formal approval without the same level of commitment.
Example Sentences
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The lawyer was a passionate advocate for prisoners' rights.
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I like trees, but I do not advocate living in them.
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We have been advocating for changes in immigration law.
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Students gathered to advocate for longer library hours.
Word Parts: How to Remember “advocate”
Break “advocate” into its parts: ad- (to, toward) + -voc- (voice, call). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
ad-to, toward (Latin) -
Root:
-voc-voice, call (Latin)