as in proponents
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of protagonists
Not every young author who writes about disaffected young protagonists is the new Sally Rooney.
—
Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
Some of the most extreme adventures described in the books on this list were not matters of choice; their protagonists were forced into do-or-die journeys by circumstance or bad luck.
—Eva Holland, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026
The sequel, sizing up its protagonists and the direness of their professional circumstances, grants them some romantic redemption.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Many of world literature’s most unlikable protagonists start unlikeable and end unlikeable.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
One of the main protagonists in all the negative drama of late — Enzo Fernandez — even had his name sung.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Rosenthal has also been at the center of script development and secured music rights to both Simon’s work and that of iconic African artists, including the film’s protagonists, Masekela and Makeba.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Wade and James, the protagonists of Leaving Neverland, have never made a cent from their accusations.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Sam plays more of a secondary role than those dual protagonists, but his character arc is still compelling.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
Some of the most extreme adventures described in the books on this list were not matters of choice; their protagonists were forced into do-or-die journeys by circumstance or bad luck.
—Eva Holland, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026
The sequel, sizing up its protagonists and the direness of their professional circumstances, grants them some romantic redemption.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Many of world literature’s most unlikable protagonists start unlikeable and end unlikeable.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
One of the main protagonists in all the negative drama of late — Enzo Fernandez — even had his name sung.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Rosenthal has also been at the center of script development and secured music rights to both Simon’s work and that of iconic African artists, including the film’s protagonists, Masekela and Makeba.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Wade and James, the protagonists of Leaving Neverland, have never made a cent from their accusations.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Sam plays more of a secondary role than those dual protagonists, but his character arc is still compelling.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonists
Noun
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Per Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, the six billionaires who have already fled the state took with them nearly 30% of the wealth proponents expected to tax, which alone means the measure will only raise $40 billion of the $100 billion initially forecasted.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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Some proponents of adding Arabic language instruction say the curriculum would help cultivate a sense of inclusion, identity and belonging for students of Arab descent in the district.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Noun
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Newsom and other supporters have said the tunnel would protect the state’s water system as climate change intensifies severe droughts and deluges.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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And supporters are left to fill the silence with speculation, chants and, now, airborne protest banners.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Noun
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During the long aftermath of the civil-rights movement, many authors and advocates imagined that King’s struggle could be continued by expanding its reach.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Retirement advocates see any cap or cut in Social Security benefits as a slippery slope.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Noun
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This movement, known as critical legal studies, was associated with the political left, and its exponents, known as crits, loved to disparage liberal theorists’ devotion to the Constitution as naïve and counterproductive.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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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
Noun
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Those business partners were doing that hard piece of convincing managers, agents, and promoters to take the risk — and the promoters finally agreed.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
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There were promoters willing to put nights on.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonists. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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