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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 Like its middle-aged protagonist, the movie is straightforward and unaffected, and compellingly so. — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026 Haney tells Deadline his initial goal was to make a 12-minute short documentary featuring one or two protagonists. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026 The protagonist remains the human author whose judgment becomes part of the environment everyone else, human and machine, must operate in. — Beth Miller, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Part bildungsroman, part romance, Doran’s fizzy yet intelligent interpretation is as self-assured as its protagonist, with anachronistic flourishes that pay homage to Sybylla’s spirit of subversion. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 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
  • School choice proponents often say the rapid increase in participation only shows the enormous demand for such programs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • By contrast, modern proponents of the existence of a ninth planet focus their searches further out, looking instead to orbital peculiarities in smaller objects that occupy the distant reaches of the solar system.
    — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • But advocates for broader vaccine restrictions have promised to renew their push in future legislative sessions.
    — Sally C. Pipes, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The Block the Merger group, which includes 1st Amendment advocates and Hollywood celebrities, including Jane Fonda and Mark Ruffalo, called on Bonta and the 11 other attorneys general to hold out for major concessions.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • Some of the nations attending the meeting in western Ukraine's Ivano-Frankivsk region, such as Poland and Romania, have been staunch supporters of Ukraine.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Some of the nations attending the meeting in western Ukraine’s Ivano-Frankivsk region, such as Poland and Romania, have been staunch supporters of Ukraine.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 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
  • Daniel Munoz, formerly with Glasner at Palace, is a key exponent of this.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Likewise, the coefficients of the terms with prime exponents shape a modular form.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of exponent
Noun
  • Keeping up with Rådström, a former rower for the Swedish national team, was a challenge, Berg says, but the two became fast friends.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
  • If a friend from out of town visits and is looking for true, New York-style pizza, Williamsburg Pizza is at the top of my list of recommendations.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on protagonist

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about protagonist

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