proponent
Americannoun
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a person who puts forward a proposition or proposal.
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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
-
law a person who seeks probate of a will
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.
Ironic coincidence: Detective Raven was himself a major proponent of the Mercy program.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026
Trump has also been a proponent of cryptocurrencies.
From Barron's • Dec. 22, 2025
Kennedy is also, fittingly for his family’s reputation for being full of robust outdoorsmen, a big proponent of getting outside into the woods—advice being made dangerous by the ticks.
From Slate • Dec. 19, 2025
Mark Kelly is the latest proponent of the “Everyone is 12” theory.
From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025
In the 1970s, the famed Tyrolean alpinist Reinhold Messner emerged as the leading proponent of gasless climbing, declaring that he would ascend Everest “by fair means” or not at all.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
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.
