proponent
noun
pro·po·nent
prə-ˈpō-nənt 
ˈprō-ˌpō-
: one who argues in favor of something : advocate
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Proponent comes from the same Latin word as propose, so a proponent is someone who proposes something, or at least supports it by speaking and writing in favor of it. Thus, for example, proponents of casinos argue that they create jobs, whereas proponents of a casino ban—that is, casino opponents—argue that they're corrupting and they take money away from people who can't afford it. As a rule, just about anything important that gets proposed also gets opposed.
Examples of proponent in a Sentence
a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars
Recent Examples on the Web
Closure of the bike path to undertake this project has drawn opposition from cycling proponents and West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero.
—
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Overturning the measure would represent a significant loss for the law's proponents, such as former Arizona Attorney General and Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard, who spent years advocating for it.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
An outspoken proponent of armed revolution in the United States, Shakur was convicted for her role in a 1973 shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that killed a state trooper.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Sophia Agnella Anita Stolz Stolz proved to be a proponent of current beauty trends, donning barely there eyebrows at the Blumarine show in Milan on Friday.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proponent
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Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Overturning the measure would represent a significant loss for the law's proponents, such as former Arizona Attorney General and Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard, who spent years advocating for it.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
An outspoken proponent of armed revolution in the United States, Shakur was convicted for her role in a 1973 shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that killed a state trooper.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Sophia Agnella Anita Stolz Stolz proved to be a proponent of current beauty trends, donning barely there eyebrows at the Blumarine show in Milan on Friday.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proponent
Cite this Entry
“Proponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proponent. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
proponent
noun
pro·po·nent
prə-ˈpō-nənt
ˈprō-ˌpō-nənt
: one who argues in favor of something
a proponent of recycling
Legal Definition
proponent
noun
pro·po·nent
prə-ˈpō-nənt
1
: one who argues in favor of something
2
: one who offers a will for probate
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