protagonist

noun

pro·​tag·​o·​nist prō-ˈta-gə-nist 

1

a(1)

: the principal character in a literary work (such as a drama or story)

(2)

: the leading actor or principal character in a television show, movie, book, etc.

b

: an active participant in an event

2

: a leader, proponent, or supporter of a cause : champion

Did you know?

Struggle, or conflict, is central to drama. The protagonist or hero of a play, novel, or film is involved in a struggle of some kind, either against someone or something else or even against his or her own emotions. So the hero is the "first struggler", which is the literal meaning of the Greek word prōtagōnistēs. A character who opposes the hero is the antagonist, from a Greek verb that means literally "to struggle against".

Synonyms of protagonist

• proponent
• advocate
• supporter
• advocator
• exponent
• friend

Examples of protagonist in a Sentence

Badlands has two protagonists and Days of Heaven four (though both movies are rich in colorful minor roles). —Richard Alleva, Commonweal, 12 Mar. 1999

The protagonists of Gordon's fiction are children who have been saddled with their parents' emotional bad debts. —Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 1990

The most adamant opposition to my argument is likely to come from protagonists of secular reason … —Glenn Finder, Atlantic, December 1989

She was a leading protagonist in the civil rights movement.

Milton Friedman is usually cited as the leading American protagonist of monetarism.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Breadwinner’s effort to turn that character into a compelling protagonist can’t overcome the fact that Bargatze’s style is too laid-back to hold the center of a film. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026

And fairy tales with female protagonists are not just stories of oppression and outdated gender roles, but stories of awakening, opportunity and transformation. —Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

In the demo, players can try the swordplay action game at home for the first time, explore the historic Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and duel protagonist Miyamoto Musashi’s rival Sasaki Ganryu in a boss battle. —Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 3 June 2026

By the end of the show, which had its protagonists traveling around the country and beyond, Ava has come around to the place and to Deborah’s antics. —Alexandra Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek prōtagōnistēs, from prōt- prot- + agōnistēs competitor at games, actor, from agōnizesthai to compete, from agōn contest, competition at games — more at agony

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for protagonist

• antagonist
• agonist

Kids Definition

protagonist

noun

pro·​tag·​o·​nist prō-ˈtag-ə-nəst 

: the chief character in a play, novel, or story