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
This show could be some kind of social commentary if these characters weren’t meant to be the protagonists.
—
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Like his protagonists, the filmmaker went against the grain at the start of his career.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Trier was sold, casting Lie as one of the protagonists.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
For example, autistic characters are often portrayed in media as protagonists that the audience is cheering for.
—Joshua Anbar, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Lee says that the power of the protagonists' love story hit close to home for her.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The most recognizable reference will be to the protagonists in the movie, the K-pop girl group Huntr/x members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
The 2025 edition puts women’s stories front and center, with all three marquee slots — opening, centerpiece and closing films — focused on female protagonists.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Folks who may have been fleeting presences, or reduced to talking heads in tiny squares on a group Zoom — like the secretary of defense (Jared Harris) or a fresh-faced deputy national security adviser (The Night Agent‘s Gabriel Basso) — become lead protagonists.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Like his protagonists, the filmmaker went against the grain at the start of his career.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Trier was sold, casting Lie as one of the protagonists.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
For example, autistic characters are often portrayed in media as protagonists that the audience is cheering for.
—Joshua Anbar, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Lee says that the power of the protagonists' love story hit close to home for her.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The most recognizable reference will be to the protagonists in the movie, the K-pop girl group Huntr/x members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
The 2025 edition puts women’s stories front and center, with all three marquee slots — opening, centerpiece and closing films — focused on female protagonists.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Folks who may have been fleeting presences, or reduced to talking heads in tiny squares on a group Zoom — like the secretary of defense (Jared Harris) or a fresh-faced deputy national security adviser (The Night Agent‘s Gabriel Basso) — become lead protagonists.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonists
Noun
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Short-term rentals have been a hot-button issue for Nantucket, with supporters of tighter limits arguing that wealthy tourists are gobbling up all the housing options for workers and proponents of a more lax policy highlighting how important visitors are to the island’s economy.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
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The nascent market is currently led by the likes of Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, and proponents say the technology can ease air traffic congestion.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Just hearing ‘set piece’ sends a shiver down Liverpool supporters’ spines.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Selfless Love Foundation is able to offer this National Think Tank at no cost, including scholarships to cover youth’s travel and accommodations.—
Dana Perino,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In an effort to make that happen, officials with the city of Little Rock presented a plan for the portion of the trail at the Dillard's headquarters on Thursday at an open forum meeting at the Dunbar Community Center, inspiring hope in some cyclists and advocates.—
Amir Mahmoud,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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Climate advocates are planning new efforts to make use of this supermajority.—
John D. Sutter,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The prime exponents are Brentford, with whom Gronnemark has worked on a consultancy basis.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Bigger Picture The industry will continue to evolve, and platforms, labels and promoters will remain important partners.—
Geoff Robins,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
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Early on, Chesney made long journeys on the road to play half-empty venues and dealt with promoters mixing up his name with country singer Mark Chesnutt, calling him Kenny Chesnutt or Mark Chesney, hoping the mistake would drawn in Chesnutt fans.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Protagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonists. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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