protagonist

noun

pro·​tag·​o·​nist prō-ˈta-gə-nist 

1

a(1)

: the principal character in a literary work (such as a drama or story)

(2)

: the leading actor or principal character in a television show, movie, book, etc.

b

: an active participant in an event

2

: a leader, proponent, or supporter of a cause : champion

Did you know?

Struggle, or conflict, is central to drama. The protagonist or hero of a play, novel, or film is involved in a struggle of some kind, either against someone or something else or even against his or her own emotions. So the hero is the "first struggler", which is the literal meaning of the Greek word prōtagōnistēs. A character who opposes the hero is the antagonist, from a Greek verb that means literally "to struggle against".

Synonyms

• advocate
• advocator
• apostle
• backer
• booster
• champion
• espouser
• exponent
• expounder
• friend
• gospeler
• gospeller
• herald
• hierophant
• high priest
• paladin
• promoter
• proponent
• supporter
• true believer
• tub-thumper
• white knight

Examples of protagonist in a Sentence

Badlands has two protagonists and Days of Heaven four (though both movies are rich in colorful minor roles). —Richard Alleva, Commonweal, 12 Mar. 1999

The protagonists of Gordon's fiction are children who have been saddled with their parents' emotional bad debts. —Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 1990

The most adamant opposition to my argument is likely to come from protagonists of secular reason … —Glenn Finder, Atlantic, December 1989

She was a leading protagonist in the civil rights movement.

Milton Friedman is usually cited as the leading American protagonist of monetarism.

Recent Examples on the Web

The earlier work ends with the protagonist, Nora, leaving not just her husband but her children. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

Drawing from The Last of Us Part II video game, the series introduces these hooded nomads as significant players in the battle for Seattle, facing off against rival factions and threatening the safety of the protagonists Ellie and Dina. —Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025

Early stretches of Ep. 1 immerse audiences in Korea 1915, then dramatically cuts to Japan in 1989 as protagonist Sunja’s grandson, a bank executive, strides down a modern street in a natty suit and flamboyant tie. —John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025

Mark of the Wolves featured a first-of-its-kind citywide tournament following the death of a crime lord who had terrorized the fictional metropolis South Town, and whose son had been raised by Terry Bogard, the series protagonist. —The New York Times, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek prōtagōnistēs, from prōt- prot- + agōnistēs competitor at games, actor, from agōnizesthai to compete, from agōn contest, competition at games — more at agony

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for protagonist

• antagonist
• agonist

Kids Definition

protagonist

noun

pro·​tag·​o·​nist prō-ˈtag-ə-nəst 

: the chief character in a play, novel, or story