antagonist
Americannoun
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a person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary.
- Synonyms:
- foe, enemy, contestant
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the adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work.
Iago is the antagonist of Othello.
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Physiology. a muscle that acts in opposition to another.
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Dentistry. a tooth in one jaw that articulates during mastication or occlusion with a tooth in the opposing jaw.
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Pharmacology. a drug that counteracts the effects of another drug.
noun
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A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle, as by relaxing while the other one contracts, thereby producing smooth, coordinated movement.
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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.
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Compare agonist
Related Words
See adversary.
Etymology
Origin of antagonist
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin antagōnista, from Greek antagōnistḗs. See antagonize, -ist
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Ireland sketches the antagonists with vivid details.
And he had a running feud with Earl Weaver since the two, an unmoored umpire and a fiery manager, were antagonists in the Double-A Eastern League.
Mays and Clemmett are well matched as antagonists, balancing the flamboyant flaws and stubborn humanity of their characters.
From Los Angeles Times
The vampire Remmick is more than just an antagonist with fangs.
From Los Angeles Times
But Messrs. Smith and Delich make for persuasive antagonists, even if one does want to point out, as they wrangle, that there are bigger things around to be concerned about.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
