PROPONENTS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

proponents

noun

plural of proponent

as in advocates

a person who actively supports or favors a cause a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of proponents The gloves deliver can an electrical shock strong enough to drop a strong man to his knees in an instant, and proponents say the gloves provide a fast and non-lethal way to subdue a person. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 The memo is a bit surprising considering Gates still advises Microsoft, one of the major proponents of the technology, and an investor in OpenAI. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026 Burch, who wasn't known for being particularly close with her neighbors before, emerged as vocal leader—and a lightning rod for deal proponents. — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026 As artificial intelligence grows, proponents argue that so will the risk of government surveillance. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026 As for the animal health risk, many proponents point out that screwworm made it into the US either through infested wildlife or via flies themselves while the border was closed to the cattle trade. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 Termini could not provide an explanation as to why proponents opted to revive an unrelated, inactive bill. — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Listing out every project that does not qualify under the measure’s definition would have been impossible, measure proponents say. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Andrew Sweetman, the Scottish marine biogeochemist who led the work, hadn’t made such claims, but he was still pilloried by fellow-scientists, and proponents of mining accused him of being an anti-mining crusader. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proponents

Noun

Following the fatal crashes, transit advocates called on New Yorkers to vote in November on Ballot Question 3, which would expedite the review process for small infrastructure and safe street projects.

— Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
Every September, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, advocates ask Americans to wear gold in recognition of the children and families affected by cancer.

— Jason Collins, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of advocates

Noun

Was The Friedkin Group's decision not to sell the homegrown midfielder a victory for those loyal supporters who campaigned to keep him?

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Capcom has proven itself to be one of the platform's biggest supporters, bringing nearly all of its new and old releases to the platform.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of supporters

Noun

His mind didn’t go blank; rather, all the what-ifs multiplied like exponents, crowding his thoughts and rendering him unable to envision anything else.

— Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Of course, Huang wasn’t talking to just anyone, but one of the chief exponents of the wealth tax, nationwide and in California.

— Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of exponents

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proponent

proponents

proportion

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“Proponents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proponents. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of proponents

noun

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