proponent
Americannoun
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a person who puts forward a proposition or proposal.
-
a person who argues in favor of something; an advocate.
- Synonyms:
- enthusiast, champion, supporter
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a person who supports a cause or doctrine; adherent.
- Synonyms:
- enthusiast, champion, supporter
-
a person who propounds a legal instrument, such as a will for probate.
noun
-
a person who argues in favour of something
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law a person who seeks probate of a will
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing proponent
Power Prefix: pro
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Grade 9, List 4
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Vocabulary from the Third and Final Presidential Debate, October 19, 2016
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Geiger, however, remains a huge proponent of the system and was careful not to criticize how it’s been used in this World Cup.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
He was a strong proponent of US support for Ukraine.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
Salazar, who led Oregon’s state housing agency during the COVID-19 pandemic and later worked as a regional director for HUD, is a longtime proponent of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
Musk has been a proponent of the idea that energy-hogging data centers could be run from space, where they would be fueled by limitless solar power.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 17, 2026
But it was Thomas Henry Huxley who was Charles’s biggest proponent.
From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman
AI-weapons proponents and defense companies argue that autonomous weapons will remain under human control, with the AI allowing human commanders to work with greater—and necessary—precision and speed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
Ballot measure proponents had a Thursday evening deadline to withdraw their proposals.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
Its proponents have turned it into a symbol of freedom and defiance.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
While people like Ziame worry the ban could have unintended consequences, proponents insist it is necessary to protect children from harmful content, addictive algorithms, online predators and cyberbullying.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026
It may be hard to believe, but proponents of the strong programme have acquired a dominant position within the history of science.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
