protagonists

noun

plural of protagonist
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

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 Plenty of fiction, across eras, does better, too, pushing us toward complex victims and villains, from the protagonists of Shakespeare’s tragedies to the classic antiheroes of cable TV. — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026 Even when a Chinese company reopens the Linares’ local car plant, the film’s two young Spanish protagonists hesitate between staying or leaving. — John Hopewell, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026 Frustratingly, the focus moves from our protagonists’ bedroom frolics to the townsfolk, who are outraged at a steamy love that reveals their own lack. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026 But even as both of the main protagonists had ups and downs in their love lives, what made Gilmore Girls special from the very beginning was the focus on the mother-daughter relationship. — Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2026 Derek vs Derek started life as a doc about rewilding, but became something quite different when EP Adam Wishart realized one of its protagonists had a rival stationed on the farm opposite him. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026 Instead, their adaptations declined to modernize the novel’s setting and embraced finding new ways into the protagonists. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026 On this occasion, though, his focus is on female protagonists, specifically Pella. — Malcolm Forbes, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Oct. 2026 At the risk of discouraging readers, this chapter’s protagonists will include cholecalciferol, ammonia, neonicotinoids, polyethylene, 17α-methyltestosterone, and diclofenac. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonists
  1. proponents
  2. supporters
  3. advocates
  4. exponents
  5. promoters
Noun
  • Looking ahead, fair districting proponents see no light at the end of the gerrymandering tunnel.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026
  • For this reason, proponents tout fuel cells as an effective way to cut emissions while still providing essential power to homes, businesses, factories and, increasingly, data centers.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of proponents
Noun
  • Transgender-rights supporters marched through downtown Seattle Thursday after Washington voters approved a measure barring biological males from girls’ K–12 interscholastic sports, setting up a potential court battle over the new restrictions.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • That moment encapsulated the night between Brooks and his supporters.
    — Rashad Alexander November 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of supporters
Noun
  • Families are concerned that they will be immediately detained, advocates say.
    — Laura Romero, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Alderwoman Diesha Contee, whose ward includes most of the city’s public housing, said residents and their advocates are frustrated.
    — Nats_syndicator, Baltimore Sun, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of advocates
Noun
  • One of the most distinguished exponents of Beowulf as live performance today is the American singer Benjamin Bagby, who’s made the lyre an indispensable part of his act.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Arrieta brings up names like Oliver Laxe, Los Javis and Alauda Ruiz De Azúa as exponents of this new wave.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of exponents
Noun
  • Sheeran has said his promoters made the decision, according to the BBC.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Sheeran argued that the decision to remove Macklemore as an opener, backed by the venues and promoters, came down to not wanting to disappoint fans or impact the other people working on the tour by cancelling.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of promoters

Browse Nearby Words

protagonist
protagonists
protean
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Cite this Entry

“Protagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonists. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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