proponent

noun

pro·​po·​nent prə-ˈpō-nənt How to pronounce proponent (audio)
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
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.
Prospective visitors, along with park proponents, are concerned about what the parks and experiences may look like after the sweeping layoffs across the National Park Service and the larger federal government in February. Eve Chen, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025 However, proponents and affordable housing advocates stress the urgency of building housing quickly on all available sites as the region grapples with a worsening housing crisis. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025 Lutnick, a wealthy businessman and key Trump campaign ally, has long been a proponent of using tariffs on imports from other countries to spur American manufacturing and penalize trade policies he’s deemed unfavorable. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025 Once the petition is submitted and approved by the Secretary of State’s office, petition proponents have 120 days to collect signatures. Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proponent

Word History

Etymology

Latin proponent-, proponens, present participle of proponere

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proponent was in 1588

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Proponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proponent. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

proponent

noun
pro·​po·​nent prə-ˈpō-nənt How to pronounce proponent (audio)
ˈprō-ˌpō-nənt
: one who argues in favor of something
a proponent of recycling

Legal Definition

proponent

noun
pro·​po·​nent prə-ˈpō-nənt How to pronounce proponent (audio)
1
: one who argues in favor of something
2
: one who offers a will for probate

More from Merriam-Webster on proponent

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