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 Footage played for the room only at CinemaCon opened on a computer repairman (Lamorne Morris) coming into the home of Janice (Marin Hinkle), the mother of Wolf’s teen protagonist. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 July 2026 At the center of the series, though, is award-winning actress Kyla Pratt, who’s voiced the show’s protagonist Penny Proud for decades. — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 In the first season finale, Kim makes a deal with Lee Dong-kyu, a new and enigmatic character who agrees to take down Juhak Construction for our protagonist. — Kayti Burt, Time, 27 July 2026 The Sixth Faction starts the same way as Divergent, with Tris heading to the Choosing Ceremony to decide her future, before diverging into an alternate reality where the protagonist ends up, Roth previously teased. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 27 July 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
  • The bill’s legislative proponents argue the measure is a win for taxpayers, citing reductions in the cost of homeownership while maintaining funding for schools and other essential services.
    — Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
  • Those lawmakers pressed legislative leaders to revisit that exemption this year, and SB-954 is the resulting compromise, its proponents say.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • Yet some advocates say better air quality tracking still doesn’t do enough to address the root causes of pollution.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
  • Residents, tribal leaders and advocates say the shaded, overgrown site is a vital urban refuge and cultural landscape, suing Pasadena over tree removal, excavation and potential harm to ancestral remains.
    — Mack Baysinger Follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • Khamenei described the group as being at the forefront of resistance to Israel and its supporters.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • Thekla answered with a Spider suplex as the Thekla supporters cheered.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 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
  • Samaritan's Purse said nearly every patient treated at its field hospital has lost a family member or close friend.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
  • Can any human being be a true friend to thousands or even millions of people at once?
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 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 2 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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