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
Apple has long been a vocal proponent of the sanctity of its users’ personal data.
—
Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
George Fishman, senior legal fellow at the conservative Center of Immigration Studies and former deputy general counsel at Department of Homeland Security during the first Trump administration, has been a strong proponent of the act.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
Over time, proponents say, a major benefit of democratic parenting is that your children will:
Learn to self-regulate.
—Miranda Rake, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
Since the 25% US tariffs on Canada were announced last month, Carney has been an outspoken proponent of dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proponent
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Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
George Fishman, senior legal fellow at the conservative Center of Immigration Studies and former deputy general counsel at Department of Homeland Security during the first Trump administration, has been a strong proponent of the act.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
Over time, proponents say, a major benefit of democratic parenting is that your children will:
Learn to self-regulate.
—Miranda Rake, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
Since the 25% US tariffs on Canada were announced last month, Carney has been an outspoken proponent of dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 10 Mar. 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 22 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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