PROTAGONIST Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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 protagonists in both books are brilliant in very specific ways (Bernadette is a designer), a brilliance focused in a passion that is conveyed through the novel. —

John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026 And Beth, who’s the woman at the center of that story is such a powerful and impressive female protagonist. —

Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026 Not for anyone important; the cantankerous artist (played by Ian McKellen), the protagonist of Steven Soderbergh’s new movie, The Christophers, is recording jokey Cameos for eager fans. —

David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026 Although McKellen’s Julian is colorful and riveting, Solomon saw Coel’s Lori as the protagonist from whose perspective the movie would largely be told. —

Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for protagonist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonist

Noun

The proponents of this measure have even admitted unabashedly that this is part of a national effort to divide Coloradoans and drive turnout in the midterm elections.

— Mike Smith, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
But telecommunications firms might still balk at furnishing the data for fear they might be sued, Section 702 proponents say.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026