PROPONENT Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

proponent

noun

prə-ˈpō-nənt

Definition of proponent

as in advocate

a person who actively supports or favors a cause a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of proponent Andrew Sweetman, the Scottish marine biogeochemist who led the work, hadn’t made such claims, but he was still pilloried by fellow-scientists, and proponents of mining accused him of being an anti-mining crusader. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 Of course, proponents of greater borrowing acknowledged that there could be a future shock that once again demanded large government borrowing. — Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026 Prediction market platforms and their proponents say trading contracts on the markets is not the same as betting, likening it instead to trading on the stock market. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 Anthony Beale, 9th, who has been a leading proponent of VGTs in Chicago. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proponent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proponent

Noun

Child safety advocates and some parents have welcomed age restrictions, while privacy groups say the rules can be cheated and that forcing users to supply identification raises privacy concerns.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Disability rights advocates fear the changes to special education oversight weaken the federal safety net for autistic students and others with disabilities, making these systems more confusing when families need help enforcing students' rights.

— Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of advocate

Noun

The government said Khan’s supporters had begun gathering outside the private hospital in violation of the court order, which required them to stay away from the medical facility to avoid inconveniencing other patients.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Fabares was a longtime supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association, after her mother was diagnosed with the disease in the early 1990s.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of supporter

Noun

His mind didn’t go blank; rather, all the what-ifs multiplied like exponents, crowding his thoughts and rendering him unable to envision anything else.

— Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Often categorized along with Bellow and Bernard Malamud as exponents of a particularly Jewish-American sensibility, all three were additionally masters of the American voice.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 June 2026

Definition of exponent

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propitious

proponent

proponents

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“Proponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proponent. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of proponent

noun

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