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
Alvarado has become Colombia's most energetic proponent of the technique.
—
John Otis, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Passionate about utopian socialism and architecture, Gaudí’s forms and shapes were totally fresh, otherworldly and are sometimes referred to as a precursor of the Surrealist movement, of which Salvador Dalí was a key proponent.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Alex Titcomb, who is a lead proponent of enacting the referendum on absentee voting in the upcoming elections, said this ballot incident is exactly why constituents in Maine need stricter absentee voting regulations.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025
Eide and other proponents of expanding hospitalization believe the administration could do even more.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proponent
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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John Otis, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Passionate about utopian socialism and architecture, Gaudí’s forms and shapes were totally fresh, otherworldly and are sometimes referred to as a precursor of the Surrealist movement, of which Salvador Dalí was a key proponent.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Alex Titcomb, who is a lead proponent of enacting the referendum on absentee voting in the upcoming elections, said this ballot incident is exactly why constituents in Maine need stricter absentee voting regulations.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025
Eide and other proponents of expanding hospitalization believe the administration could do even more.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 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 8 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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