proponent
noun
pro·po·nent
prə-ˈpō-nənt 
ˈprō-ˌpō-
: one who argues in favor of something : advocate
Did you know?
Proponent comes from the same Latin word as propose, so a proponent is someone who proposes something, or at least supports it by speaking and writing in favor of it. Thus, for example, proponents of casinos argue that they create jobs, whereas proponents of a casino ban—that is, casino opponents—argue that they're corrupting and they take money away from people who can't afford it. As a rule, just about anything important that gets proposed also gets opposed.
Examples of proponent in a Sentence
a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars
Recent Examples on the Web
However, proponents believe navel pulling can offer all these benefits and enhance overall vitality.2
Much of this practice is rooted in Ayurveda, an alternative approach to medicine that has existed for thousands of years.
—
Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Mar. 2025
Musk and other autonomous vehicle proponents have pushed for simpler rules and exemptions to restrictions on vehicles that don’t have human controls.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025
Craft tequila brands have been among the biggest proponents of additive free but big brands are also taking notice.
—John Kell, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Later that day, Elon Musk, owner of the aerospace firm SpaceX and a longtime proponent of Mars settlement, addressed a post-Inauguration celebration.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proponent
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.
Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Mar. 2025
Musk and other autonomous vehicle proponents have pushed for simpler rules and exemptions to restrictions on vehicles that don’t have human controls.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025
Craft tequila brands have been among the biggest proponents of additive free but big brands are also taking notice.
—John Kell, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Later that day, Elon Musk, owner of the aerospace firm SpaceX and a longtime proponent of Mars settlement, addressed a post-Inauguration celebration.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proponent
Cite this Entry
“Proponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proponent. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
proponent
noun
pro·po·nent
prə-ˈpō-nənt
ˈprō-ˌpō-nənt
: one who argues in favor of something
a proponent of recycling
Legal Definition
proponent
noun
pro·po·nent
prə-ˈpō-nənt
1
: one who argues in favor of something
2
: one who offers a will for probate
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share