antagonism

[ an-tag-uh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. an active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or conflicting groups:

   the antagonism between the liberal and the conservative parties.

   Synonyms: strife, friction, conflict

2. an opposing force, principle, or tendency:

   Her plan to become an actress met with the antagonism of her family.

   Synonyms: animosity

3. Physiology. an opposing action, as by one muscle in relation to another.
4. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. the opposing action of substances, as drugs, that when taken together decrease the effectiveness of at least one of them ( synergism ).
5. Ecology.
   1. a relationship between two species of organisms in which the individuals of each species adversely affect the other, as in competition.
   2. the inhibition of the growth of one type of organism by a different type that is competing for the same ecological niche.

antagonism

/ ænˈtæɡəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. openly expressed and usually mutual opposition
2. the inhibiting or nullifying action of one substance or organism on another
3. physiol the normal opposition between certain muscles
4. biology the inhibition or interference of growth of one kind of organism by another

Other Words From

• inter·an·tago·nism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of antagonism¹

First recorded in 1835–40; from French antagonisme, from Greek antagṓnisma; antagonize, -ism

Example Sentences

I can also envision that his antagonism toward reporters might extend to a variety of criminal, civil and financial investigations.

From Salon

Although Trump has vowed not to cut Medicare benefits, conservative antagonism toward Medicaid, the state-federal healthcare program for low-income Americans, has never ebbed.

From Los Angeles Times

“We contracted a syndrome psychologists call irrational antagonism. That is, we split into two groups of four. A power struggle over the project’s direction made things much worse.”

From Los Angeles Times

He pointed to the "authoritarian and arguably fascist regimes" Black Americans lived under post-slavery and Reconstruction: antagonism from a police state, having to contend with propaganda that held the natural leaders were white, Jim Crow politics that rejected Black women's bodily autonomy, particularly with respect to sexual violence and forced sterilization.

From Salon

He forgetfully addresses Ali as Mr. Clay, who calls him “Officer Mayberry” in return, and their antagonism provides a platform to make points about race in America.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• animosity
• animus
• antipathy
• disagreement
• discord
• dissension
• enmity
• friction
• hatred
• hostility
• opposition
• rancor
• resistance
• rivalry