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

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Etymology

Origin of proponent

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

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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

Paintings of everyday objects make a case for the painter as a daring proponent of Op Art.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

EA's three big causes today are global poverty, factory-farmed animals and "the most controversial one -- global catastrophic risk," said Richard Chappell, a professor at University of Miami and an EA proponent.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

“This measure is a safety net for news outlets on the verge of closure,” said former state Sen. Steve Glazer, who is a proponent of the bill and during his Senate term pushed similar legislation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

“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

But it was Thomas Henry Huxley who was Charles’s biggest proponent.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

Economists Gabriel Zucman and Emmanuel Saez, both French and affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley, are key proponents of the proposed California wealth tax.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Meanwhile, Tennessee's proponents of capital punishment have suggested that a different method be used.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

A long-term infrastructure plan administered with two-year budgeting “sets clear priorities, identifies the projects that need to get done, and plans how to fund them over time,” proponents said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

In Bhutan's Paro, several hundred proponents of the idea are practicing everything from walking meditation to mindful eating -- slowing down to appreciate the taste, smell, texture and colours of food.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

Ojvind Winge, one of the early proponents of the theory of chromosome instability, felt that chromosome doublings were especially significant.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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Related Words

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

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