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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
  • Some of us assist in delivery rooms, some of us administer medications, some of us advocate for our patients to insurance companies to make sure lifesaving is covered.
    — Nancy Hagans, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Banks, the first saxophonist to receive the prestigious Avery Fisher Award, is a tireless advocate for his instrument in the classical world.
    — Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • Russia, along with China, is a major supporter and arms supplier to Myanmar.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • It was drafted with tenant input and by a diverse coalition of community supporters.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 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
  • Nearly an hour after Nolan was last seen, friends on one of the boats noticed its bilge pump had failed and water was rapidly filling the hull, Tyler Cox and Edward Paltzik, attorneys for the friends, told CNN.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Moehrig said there’s a mutual respect between the two players, who have become friends.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of friend

Browse Nearby Words

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 24 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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