agonist

[ ag-uh-nist ]

noun

1. a person engaged in a contest, conflict, struggle, etc., especially the protagonist in a literary work.
2. a person who is torn by inner conflict.
3. Physiology. a contracting muscle whose action is opposed by another muscle. Compare antagonist ( def 3 ).
4. Pharmacology. a chemical substance capable of activating a receptor to induce a full or partial pharmacological response. Compare antagonist ( def 5 ).

agonist

/ ˈæɡənɪst /

noun

1. any muscle that is opposed in action by another muscle Compare antagonist
2. a competitor, as in an agon

agonist

/ ăg′ə-nĭst /

1. A muscle that actively contracts to produce a desired movement.
2. A chemical substance, especially a drug, that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiologic response.
3. Compare antagonist

Word History and Origins

Origin of agonist¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin agōnista, from Greek agōnistḗs “contestant,” equivalent to agṓn agon + -istēs -ist

Word History and Origins

Origin of agonist¹

C17: from Greek agōn agon

Example Sentences

Both agencies said they would continue to closely monitor reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in people taking the drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

From Seattle Times

The team plans further investigations of PD-1 inhibitors and agonists to see if they can tailor what they say are more effective, "rationally designed" therapies for both cancer and autoimmune disorders.

From Science Daily

Patients who began taking SGLT2 inhibitors had a 30 percent lower risk of developing kidney stones than those taking GLP1 agonists and about a 25 percent lower risk than those taking DPP4 inhibitors.

From Science Daily

Results from early clinical trials also suggest that GLP1 agonists may reduce the risk of liver damage.

From Science Daily

GLP-1R agonists are medications that influence metabolism, such as decreasing blood sugar levels by promoting insulin secretion.

From Science Daily