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

Most apps have questions requesting users’ ages, and some use specialized identification technology, but proponents say children are getting around these barriers. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Beside the dock lay dozens of canoes owned by the East Bay Regional Park District, which proponents of the new park hope will be utilized more when construction is completed. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026

In the years since, proponents of fetal personhood began to push for even broader legal protections. —CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026

Frye is a vocal proponent of leucovorin, and his research on the drug was cited by federal health officials in September. —Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 16 Mar. 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