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.
Examples of proponent in a Sentence
a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars
Recent Examples on the Web
Critics of phasing out natural gas argue that much of the electricity on the grid comes from natural gas, but proponents say renewable energy is making up a larger share.
—
Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
Rieder is also a proponent of a more creative use of the Fed’s balance sheet to achieve specific policy objectives.
—Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Scott Galloway, a marketing professor at New York University who has written about modern masculinity, has been among the most vocal proponents of the idea that drinking plays a crucial social role in American society.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
Put into motion by an executive order Trump signed last year, the Golden Dome is billed by proponents as a way to better guard the US homeland against fast-evolving missile threats from the likes of China and Russia.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proponent
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
Rieder is also a proponent of a more creative use of the Fed’s balance sheet to achieve specific policy objectives.
—Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Scott Galloway, a marketing professor at New York University who has written about modern masculinity, has been among the most vocal proponents of the idea that drinking plays a crucial social role in American society.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
Put into motion by an executive order Trump signed last year, the Golden Dome is billed by proponents as a way to better guard the US homeland against fast-evolving missile threats from the likes of China and Russia.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proponent
Cite this Entry
“Proponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proponent. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
