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
As in all middle-class horror stories, the two protagonists are blissfully unaware of what’s coming to them.
—
Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
Both happenings are attended by the mother-daughter team of Gloria (Katy Correa) and Nour (D’Johé Kouadio), who form the core of the cast and the closest thing to protagonists.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
This is exactly what happens to her once-triumphant protagonists.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Margarita Khemlin lets go of her characters on a concluding note that, to them, appears forward-looking and hopeful but which, to readers familiar with the history that the story’s protagonists are yet to experience, is haunted by tragedies to come.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The power of Brontë’s novel comes from its complex structure and dark, unfiltered prose that envelops you in the swirling, all-encompassing obsession of its protagonists.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
From their playstyle wheel below, dominance in possession and territory (Field tilt, 86 out of 99) shows that Tudor prefers his side to be the protagonists on the ball, but what is most notable is their out-of-possession approach.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Her bodice-ripping, visually sumptuous version, in theaters Friday, incorporates some essential literary elements, but also imagines what’s in between the lines of Brontë’s writing, including sultry moments between the protagonists.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
And given the financial stakes and the protagonists’ deep pockets, spending could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
Both happenings are attended by the mother-daughter team of Gloria (Katy Correa) and Nour (D’Johé Kouadio), who form the core of the cast and the closest thing to protagonists.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
This is exactly what happens to her once-triumphant protagonists.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Margarita Khemlin lets go of her characters on a concluding note that, to them, appears forward-looking and hopeful but which, to readers familiar with the history that the story’s protagonists are yet to experience, is haunted by tragedies to come.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The power of Brontë’s novel comes from its complex structure and dark, unfiltered prose that envelops you in the swirling, all-encompassing obsession of its protagonists.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
From their playstyle wheel below, dominance in possession and territory (Field tilt, 86 out of 99) shows that Tudor prefers his side to be the protagonists on the ball, but what is most notable is their out-of-possession approach.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Her bodice-ripping, visually sumptuous version, in theaters Friday, incorporates some essential literary elements, but also imagines what’s in between the lines of Brontë’s writing, including sultry moments between the protagonists.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
And given the financial stakes and the protagonists’ deep pockets, spending could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonists
Noun
-
Both Nakamura and Carlsen are proponents of faster formats and are signed to esports teams.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The legislation's proponents have called on him to use a maneuver known as a talking filibuster to sidestep the 60-vote threshold for ending debate, but doing so would eat up valuable floor time and enable Democrats to offer unlimited amendments.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One Irish supporters’ club group had 35 fans coming to the home meeting with Everton in November, a number that more than halved to 15 when the game was switched to a Monday night.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Park service workers last month abruptly removed exhibits from the Philadelphia site, prompting the city and other supporters of the exhibit to sue.—
Maryclaire Dale,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Jewish educators and free-speech advocates say the shift reflects both recognition of Holocaust education’s importance — and continuing tensions over who controls what students read and how those stories are taught.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Voting rights advocates have raised concerns that the bill could make voting more difficult for people who have changed their legal name.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The prime exponents are Brentford, with whom Gronnemark has worked on a consultancy basis.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But despite their usefulness, Nguyen warns that metrics are still limited as promoters of values and goals.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The conference will cover a number of topics relevant to musical artists, venue operators, and festival and event promoters.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonists. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
