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
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Recent Examples of protagonists
His deep dive into the genre left him with some pet peeves, not least the irrational or simply implausible behavior of many horror-movie protagonists.
—
Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Why establish them as co-protagonists this time around?
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 May 2026
People—and protagonists—are transient.
—Literary Hub, 7 May 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
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
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
Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Why establish them as co-protagonists this time around?
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 May 2026
People—and protagonists—are transient.
—Literary Hub, 7 May 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
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
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
-
Its proponents believe nuclear power could address a wide range of problems.—
Krisztian Elcsics,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
The entrenchment of those supply chains may have been underestimated by proponents of nearshoring and onshoring, while the impacts of higher tariffs may have been overestimated.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
7 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
-
The meeting space inside Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta was packed with immigration advocates, members of Taylor's family and cameras as Taylor made his first public statement since his release.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
Opposition to this bill is not limited to homeschool advocates.—
James R Mason,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
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 15 May. 2026.
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