proponent

noun

pro·​po·​nent prə-ˈpō-nənt 

ˈprō-ˌpō-

: one who argues in favor of something : advocate

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms of proponent

• advocate
• supporter
• advocator
• exponent

Examples of proponent in a Sentence

a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars

Recent Examples on the Web

That strategy allows the state to store water without disrupting the river system itself, proponents say, as opposed to the fish-killing dams of the past. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026

The teenage proponents spent weeks canvassing for the measure in Culver City, despite having no power to cast ballots for it. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

This latest committee emphasized schedule strength, which didn’t sit well with proponents of conferences outside the SEC. — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Worth Star-Telegram | Getty Images AI data center stocks came under pressure as Democrats — seen as proponents of moratoriums on the buildout — won big in midterm elections and in key technology hubs like Texas. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz,sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin proponent-, proponens, present participle of proponere

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for proponent

• component
• deponent
• exponent
• opponent
• multicomponent
• ponent

Kids 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