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

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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 protagonists But unlike his previous work, Lioness focuses on female protagonists juggling complicated homelives, inner demons, and brutal geopolitical conflicts. — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026 Maxwell, a fiction editor at The New Yorker, drew upon his own awed discovery of France in 1948; the novel’s opening paragraphs show one of the protagonists weeping at the sight of the French shore. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 The protagonists include Ernesto Montequín, Nicolás Helft, Laura Paredes, Milva Leonardi and Pablo Dacal. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 July 2026 The three other protagonists on the Alpe on that afternoon in 1997 — Ullrich, Riis and Virenque — all confessed to doping during their careers. — Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 24 July 2026 One of the film’s most memorable sequences has the protagonists disguising themselves as a bluegrass band called the Soggy Bottom Boys. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026 Its protagonists have inner lives; their feelings are important to them, and us. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026 With impossibly high expectations, the protagonists do not always achieve divine standards. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026 The young protagonists include Mario Cortijo, Mathias Spitzer, Franco Pennano, José Miguel Argüelles, Guadalupe Farfán, Fabiana Valcárcel and Yahir Manosalva. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonists
  1. proponents
  2. supporters
  3. advocates
  4. exponents
  5. promoters
Noun
  • But Zuckerberg might know something the measure’s proponents do not — or won’t admit.
    — Jared Walczak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2026
  • The bill’s legislative proponents argue the measure is a win for taxpayers, citing reductions in the cost of homeownership while maintaining funding for schools and other essential services.
    — Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
Definition of proponents
Noun
  • Verma noted that these centered around policy or ideological disagreements, which allowed the government to rally its supporters with counter-narratives.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • Before the ceremony, nominees, performers, presenters and supporters gathered near the Black Carpet.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Definition of supporters
Noun
  • Canada were the biggest advocates, with 27 box-throws attempted.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Given the sensitivity of the case, and how its outcome will likely impact Francis’ legacy, any news about the Rupnik trial has been closely followed by victims and their advocates.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of advocates
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
  • Of course, Huang wasn’t talking to just anyone, but one of the chief exponents of the wealth tax, nationwide and in California.
    — Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of exponents
Noun
  • Four decades after buying his first ring, Goodall remains the man trusted by boxing’s biggest promoters and biggest stars.
    — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Plaintiffs alleged that the event promoters were negligent in failing to secure required permits, not providing adequate security or crowd control and misrepresenting the event as safe for families, according to the statement.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
Definition of promoters

Browse Nearby Words

protagonist
protagonists
protean
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Cite this Entry

“Protagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonists. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on protagonists

Nglish: Translation of protagonists for Spanish Speakers

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