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.
RFK Jr. is a proponent, recently telling the podcaster Joe Rogan that he has taken one.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
Health and wellness expert Jillian Michaels, a proponent of MAHA, called the decision “devastating.”
From Salon • Mar. 2, 2026
Verma has been a longtime proponent of using alternative assets to diversify his clients’ investments and hedge against risk in their equity portfolios.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
A proponent of nuclear negotiations, Larijani supported the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers which unravelled three years later after Trump withdrew the US from the accord.
From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026
My mother had also been a big proponent of winter ice-cream cones.
From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth
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.
