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agonistic

[ ag-uh-nis-tik ]

adjective

  1. combative; striving to overcome in argument.
  2. straining for effect:

    agonistic humor.

  3. of or relating to ancient Greek athletic contests.
  4. Ethology. pertaining to the range of activities associated with aggressive encounters between members of the same species, including threat, attack, appeasement, or retreat.


agonistic

/ ˌæɡəˈnɪstɪk /

adjective

  1. striving for effect; strained
  2. eager to win in discussion or argument; competitive
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Other Words From

  • ago·nisti·cal·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of agonistic1

1640–50; < Greek agōnistikós, equivalent to agōnist ( ḗs ) agonist + -ikos -ic
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Word History and Origins

Origin of agonistic1

C17: via Late Latin from Greek agōnistikos, from agōn contest
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Example Sentences

Something essential has been lost as these solo performances have gradually pushed agonistic events out of the Olympic spotlight.

Moreover, most of the burrows were only a few feet apart and no agonistic behavior was witnessed.

Such agonistic scenes must have entertained the reader of the time as much as they did the author.

According to Aristotle himself, therefore, the Dialectician is agonistic and eristic, just as much as the Sophist.

A dummy Bell Vireo elicited both agonistic and epigamic behavior from nesting pairs, depending on the phase of the nesting cycle.

These actions have been emancipated from incomplete take-offs and incorporated in ritualized courtship and agonistic behavior.

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