proponent
noun
pro·po·nent
prə-ˈpō-nənt 
ˈprō-ˌpō-
: one who argues in favor of something : advocate
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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.
Synonyms
Examples of proponent in a Sentence
a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars
Recent Examples on the Web
Lately, proponents of the cull have pointed to a 2023 study by researchers from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which seemed to show a reduction in bovine tuberculosis.
—
Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
That will shift the domestic balance of power away from proponents of the green transition.
—Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Hours before this year’s legislative session formally began, proponents of school vouchers had already embarked on their push for what is likely to be one of the most contested topics in Idaho over the coming months.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025
Sports Letters to Sports: ‘Tis the season for meaningless bowl games
Dec. 21, 2024
Klatt is a proponent of starting the college football season a week earlier, with the Army-Navy game as the kickoff event.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for proponent 
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Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
That will shift the domestic balance of power away from proponents of the green transition.
—Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Hours before this year’s legislative session formally began, proponents of school vouchers had already embarked on their push for what is likely to be one of the most contested topics in Idaho over the coming months.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025
Sports Letters to Sports: ‘Tis the season for meaningless bowl games
Dec. 21, 2024
Klatt is a proponent of starting the college football season a week earlier, with the Army-Navy game as the kickoff event.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for proponent
Dictionary Entries Near proponent
Cite this Entry
“Proponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proponent. Accessed 18 Jan. 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
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