PROTAGONISTS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

protagonists

noun

plural of protagonist

as in proponents

a person who actively supports or favors a cause Milton Friedman is usually cited as the leading American protagonist of monetarism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 protagonists Instead, their adaptations declined to modernize the novel’s setting and embraced finding new ways into the protagonists. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026 Most of her young protagonists don’t even fit the center’s profile. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 On this occasion, though, his focus is on female protagonists, specifically Pella. — Malcolm Forbes, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Oct. 2026 This includes at least thirty-three major characters, some of whom are more memorable than the putative protagonists. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 At the risk of discouraging readers, this chapter’s protagonists will include cholecalciferol, ammonia, neonicotinoids, polyethylene, 17α-methyltestosterone, and diclofenac. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026 The creators seem to be telling us Paladin has more in common with the protagonists than with his mysterious client, who calls him yet again for some completely redundant threats. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 John Field, one of Li’s two protagonists, was in fact a classical pianist of some repute, having invented the nocturne form of composition that Chopin would make famous in Field’s lifetime. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonists

Noun

Some proponents of tighter regulation will accept incremental progress, while others push for more sweeping change.

— Barbara A. Trish, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
But proponents say including bird-friendly glass from the beginning can increase a large development’s total budget by less than 1%.

— Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of proponents

Noun

One section of bleachers directly behind the lectern and in the eye of the cameras was filled with supporters who looked young enough to be Florida Gulf Coast undergrads.

— Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
On Saturday, both are expected to take tens of thousands of supporters to the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in their last effort before the runoff.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of supporters

Noun

But what advocates hailed as a vehicle for democratic governance also has unleashed attack ads, seven-figure war chests and hardball politics.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Supporters — business groups and affordable housing advocates — say CEQA lawsuits drag projects out for years, jacking up your rent and mortgage.

— Kiara Adams, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of advocates

Noun

One of the most distinguished exponents of Beowulf as live performance today is the American singer Benjamin Bagby, who’s made the lyre an indispensable part of his act.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
Arrieta brings up names like Oliver Laxe, Los Javis and Alauda Ruiz De Azúa as exponents of this new wave.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of exponents

Browse Nearby Words

protagonist

protagonists

protean

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Protagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonists. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of protagonists

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes