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
According to the historian of science Vidar Enebakk, Scoresby’s report intrigued proponents of scientific discovery and Arctic exploration.
—
Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
County supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer has been a vocal proponent of the long-term transition to a more holistic and proactive mental health system.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
The country has raised hundreds of millions out of poverty, transformed into the world’s second-largest economy and a global growth engine, and more recently emerged as a technological powerhouse and a proponent of the green transition across the world.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
In a news release issued by the proponents, Mayra Castanada, an unltrasound technologist in Lynwood, said her clinic is already short-staffed.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proponent
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Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
County supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer has been a vocal proponent of the long-term transition to a more holistic and proactive mental health system.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
The country has raised hundreds of millions out of poverty, transformed into the world’s second-largest economy and a global growth engine, and more recently emerged as a technological powerhouse and a proponent of the green transition across the world.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
In a news release issued by the proponents, Mayra Castanada, an unltrasound technologist in Lynwood, said her clinic is already short-staffed.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 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 31 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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