protagonist
🇺🇸 /proʊˈtægənəst/
📖 Definitions
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noun
The main character in a story, play, film, or other narrative work, around whom the plot revolves.; A leading person or advocate of a cause, movement, or idea; a champion or proponent.; The principal actor in a drama or theatrical performance, especially in ancient Greek tragedy.; A key figure or participant in a real-life event or situation, often one who plays a central or active role.; An active participant or competitor in a conflict, contest, or struggle.
🔗 Details
Word forms
countable
Plural: protagonists
Collocations
main protagonistthe protagonist ofprotagonist incentral protagonistthe protagonist's journey
Derivatives
protagonistic
Synonyms
heroleadmain charactercentral characterleading figure
Antonyms
antagonist
Commonly confused
antagonist
EN: 'Antagonist' is the character who opposes the protagonist; they are complementary roles in a narrative.
hero
EN: 'Hero' implies moral goodness or bravery, while 'protagonist' simply means the main character, who may be morally ambiguous or even villainous.
Spelling tips
EN: Remember the second syllable is '-tag-' not '-tag-' with a missing 'o': it is 'protagonist', not 'protaganist'. Also note it ends in '-ist', not '-est'.
💬 Examples
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The protagonist of the novel is a young woman who discovers she has supernatural powers.
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She was a leading protagonist of the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
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In ancient Greek theatre, the protagonist was the first actor to speak, engaging in dialogue with the chorus.
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The protagonists of the political scandal were eventually brought to justice.
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The two protagonists faced each other across the negotiating table.