antagonist Definition
- 1a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary
- 2a muscle that acts in opposition to another, called the agonist
Using antagonist: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "antagonist" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The antagonist in the movie was a ruthless businessman.
Example
He saw her as his antagonist in the upcoming election.
Example
The triceps muscle is the antagonist to the biceps muscle.
antagonist Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with antagonist
arch-nemesis
the main enemy of someone, often used in a dramatic or exaggerated way
Example
Batman's arch-nemesis is the Joker.
behavior that is hostile or confrontational towards others
Example
His antagonistic behavior towards his coworkers made it difficult to work with him.
an effect that is opposite or counteracts the intended effect of something else
Example
The medication had an antagonistic effect on the patient's blood pressure.
Origins of antagonist
from Greek 'antagōnistēs', meaning 'opponent'
Summary: antagonist in Brief
An 'antagonist' [ænˈtæɡənɪst] is a person or thing that actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something. It can refer to a person's adversary, opponent, or foe, as well as a muscle that acts in opposition to another. Phrases like 'arch-nemesis' and 'antagonistic behavior' use 'antagonist' to denote a main enemy or hostile behavior, respectively.
