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.
Examples of proponent in a Sentence
a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars
Recent Examples on the Web
The 43-year-old former football player has been a longtime, outspoken proponent of LGBTQ rights.
—
David K. Li, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025
Indirect-cost rates are controversial: The proportion of NIH funding that has gone to them has grown over time, and proponents of trimming overhead argue that doing so would make research more efficient.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
Jim Cramer has long been a proponent of buybacks and dividends (or both) in picking stocks.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025
The Southland Chamber has long been a proponent of a third airport in the south suburbs, and Hooper said that support would continue.
—Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proponent
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David K. Li, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025
Indirect-cost rates are controversial: The proportion of NIH funding that has gone to them has grown over time, and proponents of trimming overhead argue that doing so would make research more efficient.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
Jim Cramer has long been a proponent of buybacks and dividends (or both) in picking stocks.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025
The Southland Chamber has long been a proponent of a third airport in the south suburbs, and Hooper said that support would continue.
—Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 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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