Synonyms of protagonist

protagonist

noun

prō-ˈta-gə-nist 

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

• proponent
• advocate
• supporter
• advocator
• exponent
• friend
• promoter
• apostle
• champion
• white knight
• paladin
• booster
• high priest
• true believer
• espouser
• hierophant
• herald
• tub-thumper
• expounder
• stalwart
• backer
• loyalist
• gospeler
• interpreter
• disciple
• adherent
• cohort
• cheerleader
• fellow traveler
• follower
• partisan
• encourager
• applauder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• antagonist
• opponent
• adversary
• enemy
• foe
• rival
• critic
• belittler
• faultfinder

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of protagonist

Derek vs Derek started life as a doc about rewilding, but became something quite different when EP Adam Wishart realized one of its protagonists had a rival stationed on the farm opposite him. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

The protagonist is an agent who gets involved in a battle among political parties vying for power in a bizarre city. — ABC News, 30 Oct. 2026

For example, Murphy flagged Queen’s Gambit as a potential ensemble, due to its buzzworthiness and the fact that the protagonist had red hair. — Allie Volpe, Vox, 29 Oct. 2026

On the small screen, Barrie portrayed the wife of Hal Linden’s protagonist on Barney Miller, and played the grandmother of Brooke Shields’ central character on Suddenly Susan. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026