proponent

USAGE SUMMARY

"proponent" is a perfectly acceptable word in written English, and can be used in many different contexts.
For example, "The new senator is a staunch proponent of healthcare reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"She can get men round her little finger," is the consensus, of which she herself is, granted, the loudest proponent.

The Guardian

As a keen proponent of the impending doom scenario, I can't help but agree with them.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The proponents could well be overstating the cost of disposing of dredge spoil on land but the government doesn't know because it's simply relying on the proponent's word, even though the proponent obviously has a direct conflict of interest," Waters said.

The Guardian

Claire McCaskill, a big proponent of oil production in Missouri, ranks worst.

The Guardian

An early proponent was Robert Zarr, a physician with Unity Health Care in Washington DC who quizzes patients about their interests, checks a searchable database for information on parks in or near their zip code, and then writes a script for specific activities.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Florida senator Marco Rubio is an ardent proponent of the NSA programs and is pushing for a full Patriot Act reauthorization.

The Guardian

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, the main proponent of the lawsuit, said the "honor of Paris" was at stake.

The Guardian

A strong proponent of a dialogue rather than a clash of civilisations, Anwar recently defended the use of the word "Allah" by Malaysia's Christian community, an issue that has inflamed tensions between the country's Muslims and Christians.

The Guardian - Opinion

The proponent was in a position where they had undertaken costing estimates as you would expect commercial costings of the various options," he told Senate estimates.

The Guardian

Because Kennedy is sympathetic both to economic libertarianism and limiting federal power, but is not as strong a proponent for these views as his colleague Clarence Thomas, his vote could go either way.

The Guardian - Opinion

This week Osborne's most crucial supporter betrayed him: the IMF, once staunch proponent of his austerity, came knocking at his door.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proponent" when you want to emphasize active support and advocacy for a particular cause, idea, or policy.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "proponent", which means someone who supports something, with "opponent", which means someone who is against something. Double-check your writing to ensure you've used the correct term.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "proponent" is that of a noun, referring to an individual who advocates for a particular cause, idea, or policy. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage, such as describing someone as a "big proponent of oil production" or a "staunch proponent of austerity".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proponent" functions as a noun designating a supporter or advocate of something. As highlighted by Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. While "proponent" is quite versatile, its usage leans toward formal settings like News & Media and Formal & Business documents. The semantic similarity analysis reveals alternatives like "advocate", "supporter", and "champion", each nuanced in its emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms that "proponent" is perfectly acceptable in written English, making it a reliable choice for expressing support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advocate

A general term for someone who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.

supporter

Emphasizes providing assistance or approval to a cause or person.

champion

Suggests a more active and enthusiastic advocacy, fighting for a cause.

backer

Implies providing financial or other resources to support a person or project.

adherent

Focuses on someone who closely follows and believes in a particular philosophy or leader.

exponent

Highlights someone who explains and promotes an idea or theory.

promoter

Emphasizes actively encouraging and publicizing something.

upholder

Suggests maintaining and defending a principle or tradition.

espouser

Formally adopting or embracing a belief or cause.

protagonist

Mainly refers to the main character of a story; however, it can also describe one of the main supporters of an idea.

FAQs

How can I use "proponent" in a sentence?

Use "proponent" to describe someone who actively supports a cause or idea. For example, "She is a strong proponent of environmental protection."

What's the difference between "proponent" and "advocate"?

"Proponent" and "advocate" are similar, but "proponent" emphasizes support, while "advocate" suggests actively speaking or writing in favor of something.

What can I say instead of "proponent"?

You can use alternatives like "supporter", "advocate", or "champion" depending on the context.

Is "proponent" a formal word?

Yes, "proponent" is generally considered a formal word, suitable for academic, professional, and news-related contexts. In more casual settings, simpler terms like "supporter" may be preferred.