PROTAGONIST Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

protagonist

noun

prō-ˈta-gə-nist

Definition of protagonist

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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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 Anna, Caroline, the protagonist of my novel, settles for very little. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 What drew you to telling this story through such a large ensemble of characters rather than following a single protagonist? — Jd Linville, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026 The opener is a flashforward that quickly and effectively reorients us to the show’s mindset and to Joe as our central protagonist. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2026 Today, though, even the most milquetoast artists are positioned as the protagonists of grand story lines, their careers measured not in albums but in eras. — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for protagonist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonist

Noun

But lawmakers appear to be turning to the provisions as a means of transitioning away from that model and toward what proponents, including Netanyahu, describe as a mutually beneficial defense partnership.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Although proponents say the substances help with weight loss, energy and muscle mass, and often cite research that has been done solely on animals or on a very small number of humans, no one knows for certain how or when it should be used in humans.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

When the lottery was proposed, advocates promised profits would go to aid education.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
Senate Republicans have expressed wariness in recent days about the prospect of slashing those standards, which advocates say help keep kids safe and healthy.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of advocate

Noun

Even her supporters glance askance at one another during her rambling entreaties.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Cliven Bundy, the family patriarch, rallied hundreds of supporters to block the roundup of his cattle, sparking a days long armed standoff between law enforcement and the Bundy group near the town of Bunkerville, outside of Las Vegas.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of supporter

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

My husband, for example, takes an annual golf trip with his friends.

— Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026
Several celebrities and their PR teams have denounced Perez for his viscous public insults, from Khloe Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga, a former friend of Perez.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of friend

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“Protagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonist. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of protagonist

noun

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