proponent

[pruh-poh-nuhnt]

noun

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.

proponent

/ prəˈpəʊnənt /

noun

1. a person who argues in favour of something

2. law a person who seeks probate of a will

Word History and Origins

Origin of proponent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of proponent¹

C16: from Latin prōpōnere to _propose

Example Sentences

The legislation would not have required applicants to belong to any particular race or ethnicity — a crucial detail that proponents said distinguished it from affirmative action, which is banned at California colleges.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

To their proponents, pageants are a training ground for young women to succeed in a world beyond the swimsuit competition.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Vought is a proponent of the “unitary executive” theory, the argument that the president should have unfettered control over every tentacle of the executive branch, including independent agencies such as the Federal Reserve.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The claim was swiftly derided by experts who said the main study cited by proponents of this theory was strewn with errors and it was yet another example of Kennedy's penchant for "pseudoscience."

Read more on Barron's

A 2022 study of 300 school districts in California found that fewer than 2% of districts were using curricula that proponents viewed as sufficiently strong in these practices.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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