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.
Synonyms
Examples of proponent in a Sentence
a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars
Recent Examples on the Web
Now Donald Trump has nominated a candidate for Secretary of Labor who has been a strong proponent of the reclassification efforts that would potentially undermine independent contractor status and interfere with their abilities to run their businesses and gainfully employ themselves.
—
Erik Sherman, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
If the tariffs are simply a negotiating tool, as some tariff proponents say, then universal tariffs are untenable.
—The Editors, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024
Saladino was once a major proponent of the carnivore diet, a trend that often coincides with raw milk consumption and involves consuming mainly animal products like eggs and steak and little in the way of fruits, vegetables or grains.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024
However, proponents, including the Tax Foundation, a center-right nonprofit, suggest that a flat tax could boost wages by 1.4%, add 1.3 million jobs and reduce compliance costs by at least $100 billion annually.
—Janae Bowens, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024
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Erik Sherman, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
If the tariffs are simply a negotiating tool, as some tariff proponents say, then universal tariffs are untenable.
—The Editors, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024
Saladino was once a major proponent of the carnivore diet, a trend that often coincides with raw milk consumption and involves consuming mainly animal products like eggs and steak and little in the way of fruits, vegetables or grains.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024
However, proponents, including the Tax Foundation, a center-right nonprofit, suggest that a flat tax could boost wages by 1.4%, add 1.3 million jobs and reduce compliance costs by at least $100 billion annually.
—Janae Bowens, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024
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 17 Dec. 2024.
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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