antagonist

[ an-tag-uh-nist ]

noun

1. a person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary.

   Synonyms: foe, enemy, contestant

   Antonyms: friend, ally

2. the adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work:

   Iago is the antagonist of Othello.

3. Physiology. a muscle that acts in opposition to another. Compare agonist ( def 3 ).
4. Dentistry. a tooth in one jaw that articulates during mastication or occlusion with a tooth in the opposing jaw.
5. Pharmacology. a drug that counteracts the effects of another drug. Compare agonist ( def 4 ).

antagonist

/ ænˈtæɡənɪst /

noun

1. an opponent or adversary, as in a contest, drama, sporting event, etc
2. any muscle that opposes the action of another Compare agonist
3. a drug that counteracts the effects of another drug Compare synergist

antagonist

/ ăn-tăg′ə-nĭst /

1. A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle, as by relaxing while the other one contracts, thereby producing smooth, coordinated movement.
2. A chemical substance, such as a drug, that interferes with the physiological action of another substance, especially by combining with and blocking its nerve receptor.
3. Compare agonist

Word History and Origins

Origin of antagonist¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin antagōnista, from Greek antagōnistḗs. See antagonize, -ist

Synonym Study

See adversary.

Example Sentences

Roberts proceeded to name the “uni-party” as the real enemy, in a move that would have felt at home at one of Robert Kennedy Jr.’s campaign events, saying: “The institution in DC that stands in the way is not the Democrat Party or the Republican Party or just K Street. It is this antagonist known as the uni-party.”

From Salon

Rep. Adam B. Schiff, a chief Trump antagonist for years who was just elected to the Senate from California and will be sworn in next month, said Gaetz’s nomination “must be rejected” by his colleagues — especially given a recent decision by the Supreme Court that found that presidents enjoy sweeping criminal immunity for actions taken in their official capacity.

From Los Angeles Times

It was, of course, his role as a leading prosecutor and Trump antagonist that made Schiff a hero among Democrats and led to his formal censure by the House — a political gift as he ramped up his Senate bid in a crowded Democrat field.

From Los Angeles Times

That threat seems much more real with an active divorce antagonist currently seeking the vice presidency, they say, and should it ever become a reality, it stands to disproportionately harm women.

From Salon

Mario antagonist Bowser arrives on the screen, and the clock gets louder, the sounds no longer soothing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adversary
• enemy
• foe