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
Sanctions have long been billed by the West as a humane tool in the foreign policy and diplomatic arsenal, often described by proponents as being surgical and precise, targeting governments and leaders with minimal civilian impact.
—
Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
After Republicans gained four Senate seats in the 2004 elections, amendment proponents had their best shot.
—Frederic J. Frommer, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
Kaine, a longtime proponent of Congress' powers to declare war, filed the resolution late Thursday, a move that will force the Senate to take up the legislation after a 10-day waiting period.
—Claudia Grisales, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Adelman is also a proponent of preserving Murray from the exhausting long-term effects of backcourt pressure by having someone else bring it up.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proponent
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Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
After Republicans gained four Senate seats in the 2004 elections, amendment proponents had their best shot.
—Frederic J. Frommer, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
Kaine, a longtime proponent of Congress' powers to declare war, filed the resolution late Thursday, a move that will force the Senate to take up the legislation after a 10-day waiting period.
—Claudia Grisales, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Adelman is also a proponent of preserving Murray from the exhausting long-term effects of backcourt pressure by having someone else bring it up.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 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 25 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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