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
From vengeful resurrections to satanic rituals, shoplifters waging war on capitalism to secret cults, shadow selves to harrowing births, these genre-defying films crown the Dolls as auteurs, protagonists, dreamers, and disruptors.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
The sound does much of the work in action sequences obscured by blinding snowstorms and flashing emergency lights, punctuated by creative acts of accidental self-harm that save our protagonists from certain death more than once.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
Some make their protagonists anti-heroes, some craft plucky non-professional detectives to solve crimes.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
In this one, the question of whose voice the narrative belonged to—how much agency that voice held, and which tactics best used for both the specificity and the capacity for surprise regarding the piece’s protagonists, without slowing the narrative down—was pretty challenging.
—Willing Davidson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Which makes Black Rabbit the kind of thriller that derives its pressure from the protagonists’ desperation to raise an impossible amount of cash in an unfeasibly short period.
—Judy Berman, Time, 7 Sep. 2025
One user even helped Roberts come up with the name of the book's protagonists, Paedyn.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Neither Baranov nor Putin — nor the many oligarchs, whether dead or alive — are the protagonists of The Wizard of the Kremlin, whose main character is ultimately Russia itself.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
The middle builds toward a climax, where conflict and challenges are overcome by the protagonists.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
The sound does much of the work in action sequences obscured by blinding snowstorms and flashing emergency lights, punctuated by creative acts of accidental self-harm that save our protagonists from certain death more than once.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
Some make their protagonists anti-heroes, some craft plucky non-professional detectives to solve crimes.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
In this one, the question of whose voice the narrative belonged to—how much agency that voice held, and which tactics best used for both the specificity and the capacity for surprise regarding the piece’s protagonists, without slowing the narrative down—was pretty challenging.
—Willing Davidson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Which makes Black Rabbit the kind of thriller that derives its pressure from the protagonists’ desperation to raise an impossible amount of cash in an unfeasibly short period.
—Judy Berman, Time, 7 Sep. 2025
One user even helped Roberts come up with the name of the book's protagonists, Paedyn.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Neither Baranov nor Putin — nor the many oligarchs, whether dead or alive — are the protagonists of The Wizard of the Kremlin, whose main character is ultimately Russia itself.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
The middle builds toward a climax, where conflict and challenges are overcome by the protagonists.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonists
Noun
-
Google is one of the most ardent proponents of generative AI technology, as evidenced by the recent launch of the Pixel 10 series.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Its research shows the new format is equally rigorous, and proponents say reading comprehension is better reflected in other parts of a college application.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
How are Kirk’s supporters responding?—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Back in 2001, a group of Enfield FC supporters realised which way the wind was blowing — and how far away their team was going — and formed a breakaway club.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski is among those to have recently discussed this approach, which advocates say will enhance allied security by preventing Russian munitions from approaching NATO borders.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Legislative efforts, often spearheaded by 'English-only’ advocates, routinely failed in Congress.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When Sarah McLachlan first hatched the idea for the 1990s women-only Lilith Fair tour, concert promoters openly questioned whether female singer-songwriters could perform back to back on a traveling festival bill and sell enough tickets.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Important To The Event IndyCar and Penske Entertainment – the promoters of the Music City Grand Prix – indicated approximately 40,000 people were in attendance over the course of the two-day, Labor Day weekend event.—
Bruce Martin,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Protagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonists. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share