protagonist

noun

prō-ˈta-gə-nist How to pronounce protagonist (audio)
Definition of protagonistnext
as in proponent
a person who actively supports or favors a cause Milton Friedman is usually cited as the leading American protagonist of monetarism

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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 protagonist The filmmakers supplement that with scenes where an actor reads from Brockington’s diaries and poetry, giving the audience a full portrait of this protagonist. — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 Numerous other features not in competition include Oscar winner Paul Schrader’s latest directing project, The Basics of Philosophy, exploring his usual concerns of guilt and repression involving older male protagonists. — David Bloom, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 School scenes, one pupil getting questioned about his threat of violence against schoolmates, and images of the protagonists in the forest create unsettling atmosphere. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026 Reed was the best friend of Jill Roberts, franchise protagonist Sidney Prescott’s younger cousin. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for protagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonist
  1. proponent
  2. advocate
  3. supporter
  4. advocator
  5. exponent
  6. friend
Noun
  • Termini could not provide an explanation as to why proponents opted to revive an unrelated, inactive bill.
    — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The roadless rule hasn’t prevented wildfire mitigation work, its proponents also say.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of 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
  • In the leadership and care phase, your role is that of an advocator.
    — Rodney C. Adkins, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
Definition of advocator
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
Noun
  • Her Steel Magnolias costars Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine and Sally Field also penned emotional tributes, as well as her friends Jane Fonda, Carol Burnett and Billy Ray Cyrus.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The first is something Panthea Parker, a headache become corporeal, brings up at a jewelry event hosted by her friend Queenie.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of friend

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prosy
protagonist
protagonists
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Cite this Entry

“Protagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonist. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on protagonist

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about protagonist

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