protagonist

noun

prō-ˈta-gə-nist How to pronounce protagonist (audio)
Definition of protagonistnext
as in proponent
a person who actively supports or favors a cause Milton Friedman is usually cited as the leading American protagonist of monetarism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of protagonist But Minetree cannot fix the inherent brokenness of a series determined to make its conventionally attractive, straight, rich white protagonist the most discriminated against kid in the cafeteria. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Giavara stresses that the headstrong protagonists in both movies are named Mac (Mack in Migration) and are helped by an older mentor bird who introduces an alternative world view by encouraging freedom and exploration. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026 The upcoming trailer is expected to be story-heavy, focusing on protagonists Lucia and Jason, offering glimpses of the HUD, voiced scenes, and new locations. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 At the Minions & Monsters premiere at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre, Jesse also revealed that Banner is a fan of the Minions movies — spinoffs of the Despicable Me films fronted by the yellow, goggle-wearing sidekicks to protagonist Gru (Steve Carell). — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for protagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protagonist
  1. proponent
  2. advocate
  3. supporter
  4. advocator
  5. exponent
  6. friend
Noun
  • 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
  • There isn't time for proponents to get a new measure on this year's ballot and state law requires any measures brought in odd years be limited to questions related to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR).
    — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • While advocates for court reporters say humans can still do the job better than machines, the fact that many hearings occur without any official transcript at all has drawn concern from top state officials.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Human rights advocates have also welcomed Jin’s release but cautioned that many members of Zion Church still remain behind bars.
    — Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Hundreds of supporters gathered to cheer her arrival after nearly a month and a half at sea.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of supporter
Noun
  • In the leadership and care phase, your role is that of an advocator.
    — Rodney C. Adkins, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
Definition of advocator
Noun
  • The deformation depends on a single free exponent.
    — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 26 May 2026
  • This movement, known as critical legal studies, was associated with the political left, and its exponents, known as crits, loved to disparage liberal theorists’ devotion to the Constitution as naïve and counterproductive.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Definition of exponent
Noun
  • Take a friend and have that person take a cell phone so that person can call 911 for help.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
  • In that episode, lone wolf Gibbs got a new special friend, an adorable dog.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of friend

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prosy
protagonist
protagonists
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Cite this Entry

“Protagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protagonist. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on protagonist

Nglish: Translation of protagonist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about protagonist

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