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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Like Anna, Caroline, the protagonist of my novel, settles for very little. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 What drew you to telling this story through such a large ensemble of characters rather than following a single protagonist? — Jd Linville, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026 The opener is a flashforward that quickly and effectively reorients us to the show’s mindset and to Joe as our central protagonist. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2026 Today, though, even the most milquetoast artists are positioned as the protagonists of grand story lines, their careers measured not in albums but in eras. — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 1 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
  • But lawmakers appear to be turning to the provisions as a means of transitioning away from that model and toward what proponents, including Netanyahu, describe as a mutually beneficial defense partnership.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Although proponents say the substances help with weight loss, energy and muscle mass, and often cite research that has been done solely on animals or on a very small number of humans, no one knows for certain how or when it should be used in humans.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • Patient safety advocates criticize the decision, noting these unapproved compounds, like BPC-157, lack robust human clinical trials and pose risks, including potential cancer links.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Consumer advocates say state student loans are more akin to private student loans, and should be approached with caution.
    — Annie Nova, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • Freezing dormant coins, supporters argue, beats letting a future quantum thief drain them and dump them on the market.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • After spending last summer in the heat of Hong Kong and South Korea, where the Tottenham supporter base is large and fervent, opting for Australia and New Zealand offered a welcome change of pace.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 2 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
  • My husband, for example, takes an annual golf trip with his friends.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Several celebrities and their PR teams have denounced Perez for his viscous public insults, from Khloe Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga, a former friend of Perez.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of friend

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protagonist
protagonists
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Cite this Entry

“Protagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonist. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on protagonist

Nglish: Translation of protagonist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about protagonist

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