proponent
noun
pro·po·nent prə-ˈpō-nənt 
ˈprō-ˌpō-
: one who argues in favor of something : advocate
Did you know?
Proponent comes from the same Latin word as propose, so a proponent is someone who proposes something, or at least supports it by speaking and writing in favor of it. Thus, for example, proponents of casinos argue that they create jobs, whereas proponents of a casino ban—that is, casino opponents—argue that they're corrupting and they take money away from people who can't afford it. As a rule, just about anything important that gets proposed also gets opposed.
Synonyms
- advocate
- advocator
- apostle
- backer
- booster
- champion
- espouser
- exponent
- expounder
- friend
- gospeler
- gospeller
- herald
- hierophant
- high priest
- paladin
- promoter
- protagonist
- supporter
- true believer
- tub-thumper
- white knight
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars
Recent Examples on the Web The main proponent of higher discounts is authority board member Jay Madara, senior vice president of PGA Tour, appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott and reappointed by DeSantis. 
Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022 Isabella Weber, an economics professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a proponent of price controls, questioned the view that price controls disincentivize production. Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2022 For a harm reduction proponent, the principal problems with opioids that need solving are that millions of disproportionately young people are getting sick and dying from using them. Natalie Shure, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Tensions are especially running high over Russia’s claim that Ukraine carried out the assassination Saturday of Daria Dugina, the daughter of a prominent far-right Russian political theorist and herself a vociferous proponent of the war. Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 When Watt saw Cooper on CNN blasting Tracy, the Florida professor and early proponent of the crisis actor theory, she was intrigued and began doing her own research. Amanda J. Crawford, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 Kardashian has been a longtime Beats user and a proponent of Beats Fit Pro. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2022 Scanagarello is a proponent of using the tight end in his passing attack, and UK has given him options. Brett Dawson, The Courier-Journal, 30 Aug. 2022 Warren has long been a proponent of requiring all colleges with high student loan default rates to reimburse the government some of the debt, an idea that resonates with some Republicans. Arkansas Online, 1 Aug. 2022 See More
Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022 Isabella Weber, an economics professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a proponent of price controls, questioned the view that price controls disincentivize production. Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2022 For a harm reduction proponent, the principal problems with opioids that need solving are that millions of disproportionately young people are getting sick and dying from using them. Natalie Shure, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Tensions are especially running high over Russia’s claim that Ukraine carried out the assassination Saturday of Daria Dugina, the daughter of a prominent far-right Russian political theorist and herself a vociferous proponent of the war. Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 When Watt saw Cooper on CNN blasting Tracy, the Florida professor and early proponent of the crisis actor theory, she was intrigued and began doing her own research. Amanda J. Crawford, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 Kardashian has been a longtime Beats user and a proponent of Beats Fit Pro. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2022 Scanagarello is a proponent of using the tight end in his passing attack, and UK has given him options. Brett Dawson, The Courier-Journal, 30 Aug. 2022 Warren has long been a proponent of requiring all colleges with high student loan default rates to reimburse the government some of the debt, an idea that resonates with some Republicans. Arkansas Online, 1 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin proponent-, proponens, present participle of proponere
First Known Use
1588, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
proponent
noun
pro·po·nent prə-ˈpō-nənt
1
: one who argues in favor of something
2
: one who offers a will for probate
proponents
noun
as in advocates
a person who actively supports or favors a cause a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- advocates
- supporters
- advocators
- exponents
- promoters
- boosters
- champions
- protagonists
- apostles
- friends
- white knights
- adherents
- hierophants
- backers
- paladins
- expounders
- true believers
- gospellers
- tub-thumpers
- gospelers
- high priests
- heralds
- stalwarts
- espousers
- loyalists
- interpreters
- disciples
- partizans
- partisans
- followers
- cohorts
- cheerleaders
- encouragers
- fellow travelers
- applauders
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- opponents
- adversaries
- antagonists
- critics
- enemies
- foes
- rivals
- faultfinders
- belittlers