proponent

American  

[pruh-poh-nuhnt] / prəˈpoʊ nənt /

noun

• proponents
  plural

1. a person who puts forward a proposition or proposal.

2. a person who argues in favor of something; an advocate.

   Synonyms:

   enthusiast, champion, supporter

3. a person who supports a cause or doctrine; adherent.

   Synonyms:

   enthusiast, champion, supporter

4. a person who propounds a legal instrument, such as a will for probate.

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proponent British  

/ prəˈpəʊnənt /

noun

1. a person who argues in favour of something

2. law a person who seeks probate of a will

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• proponents
  plural

Etymology

Origin of proponent

First recorded in 1580–90, proponent is from the Latin word prōpōnent- (stem of prōpōnēns ). See propone, -ent

Explanation

Proponent means someone who is in favor of something. You might be a proponent of longer vacations, but your parents are proponents of a longer school year. If you’re in favor of long school vacations, you’re pro or "for" long vacations. The prefix pro- also carries the meaning of “forward,” “ahead,” or “before.” All of these senses are at work in proponent: someone who suggests (puts forward) an idea or who is in favor of an idea. A proponent proposes an idea or advocates for a proposal or a proposition.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

proponent proponents

“It’s fully paid for,” said former state senator Steven Glazer, who is a passionate proponent of the bill.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

“I still think that market moves on the back of this speech could fade quickly if the economic data does not swing hawkish, because Warsh is not a proponent of forward guidance,” she told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

That publication has been a proponent for changing, extending or rejecting the legal definition of genocide enshrined in the 1948 Genocide Convention, formulated by Jewish jurist Raphael Lemkin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

He was a strong proponent of US support for Ukraine.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

My mother had been a big proponent of live Christmas trees.

From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth

The benefits of space-based data centers, proponents say, are that companies can avoid regulatory red tape and community backlash.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 24, 2026

And they’ve gotten smarter than the used-gum, spit-cup abstinence proponents of my youth.

From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026

Inverter systems can cost thousands of dollars -- not dissimilar to petrol generators depending on the size -- but proponents say running costs are lower in the long run.

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

Meanwhile, proponents of AI say that it can help entertainment companies save money in areas such as visual effects and test bold ideas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

The proponents of hunger strikes argued that it was a traditionally accepted form of protest that had been waged all over the world by such prominent leaders as Mahatma Gandhi.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• advocate
• backer
• defender
• enthusiast
• exponent
• partisan
• patron
• protector
• supporter