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 Because the show is titled simply after its protagonist’s name, Ted Lasso didn’t necessarily have to remain a series about an American coach leading a British soccer team. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026 The story expansion, entitled Echoes of Sekigahara, has murderous protagonist Atsu time-traveling between catalyst memories and mysterious geography in the current day. — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Its protagonist, a young woman named Sterling (Madison Pankey), tries to carve out a place in the sport on the local track near her home town. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026 Once their homes are converted into makeshift fortresses of cookie boxes, scouts like Olive, Shannon Elizabeth, Ara, and Nikki—the protagonists of the documentary—get to work selling them. — Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 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
  • On Monday, the act gained its highest-profile proponent yet when New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his support for the legislation.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Andrew Sweetman, the Scottish marine biogeochemist who led the work, hadn’t made such claims, but he was still pilloried by fellow-scientists, and proponents of mining accused him of being an anti-mining crusader.
    — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • Some of us assist in delivery rooms, some of us administer medications, some of us advocate for our patients to insurance companies to make sure lifesaving is covered.
    — Nancy Hagans, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Banks, the first saxophonist to receive the prestigious Avery Fisher Award, is a tireless advocate for his instrument in the classical world.
    — Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • Russia, along with China, is a major supporter and arms supplier to Myanmar.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • It was drafted with tenant input and by a diverse coalition of community supporters.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 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
  • His mind didn’t go blank; rather, all the what-ifs multiplied like exponents, crowding his thoughts and rendering him unable to envision anything else.
    — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
  • Often categorized along with Bellow and Bernard Malamud as exponents of a particularly Jewish-American sensibility, all three were additionally masters of the American voice.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 June 2026
Definition of exponent
Noun
  • Prosecutors had said that Laster and Rozier, longtime friends, were part of a group called GMB that publicly flaunted its access to guns and that Laster allegedly relied on to intimidate witnesses.
    — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • While everyone tries to photograph the actual eclipse, French prefers a different perspective if viewing the event with friends or family.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of friend

Browse Nearby Words

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 17 Aug. 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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