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
Credit goes to the bridge’s proponents for amplifying these problems and calling on the state to address them.
—
Pete Harrison,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2026
But working against Measure A’s proponents is the propensity of homeowners to turn out for an election at higher rates than renters.
—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 July 2026
Stream-access proponents took a similar approach in 2010, after a landowner on the Taylor River strung cables from bank to bank to keep a rafting company from floating down.
—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
1 July 2026
In terms of the new loan limits, meanwhile, proponents of the One Big Beautiful Bill argue that the caps will pressure colleges to lower costs and discourage students from borrowing beyond their means.
—
Connor Greene,
Time,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for proponent
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Pete Harrison,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2026
But working against Measure A’s proponents is the propensity of homeowners to turn out for an election at higher rates than renters.
—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 July 2026
Stream-access proponents took a similar approach in 2010, after a landowner on the Taylor River strung cables from bank to bank to keep a rafting company from floating down.
—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
1 July 2026
In terms of the new loan limits, meanwhile, proponents of the One Big Beautiful Bill argue that the caps will pressure colleges to lower costs and discourage students from borrowing beyond their means.
—
Connor Greene,
Time,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for proponent
Cite this Entry
“Proponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proponent. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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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