First Known Use: 1671
Dictionary
protagonist
noun pro·tag·o·nist \prō-ˈta-gə-nist\
: the main character in a novel, play, movie, etc.
: an important person who is involved in a competition, conflict, or cause
Full Definition of PROTAGONIST
1
a : the principal character in a literary work (as a drama or story) b : a leading actor, character, or participant in a literary work or real event
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Examples of PROTAGONIST
- Badlands has two protagonists and Days of Heaven four (though both movies are rich in colorful minor roles). —Richard Alleva, Commonweal, 12 Mar. 1999
- The protagonists of Gordon's fiction are children who have been saddled with their parents' emotional bad debts. —Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 1990
- The most adamant opposition to my argument is likely to come from protagonists of secular reason … —Glenn Finder, Atlantic, December 1989
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Origin of PROTAGONIST
Greek prōtagōnistēs, from prōt- prot- + agōnistēs competitor at games, actor, from agōnizesthai to compete, from agōn contest, competition at games — more at agony
Related to PROTAGONIST
- Synonyms
- advocate, advocator, apostle, backer, booster, champion, expounder, espouser, friend, gospeler (or gospeller), herald, hierophant, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, exponent, supporter, true believer, tub-thumper, white knight
- Antonyms
- adversary, antagonist, opponent
Other Literature Terms
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