antagonist

noun

an-ˈta-gə-nist How to pronounce antagonist (audio)
Definition of antagonistnext
1
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another please name the novel's hero and his antagonist

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opponent
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict his antagonist in the boxing match

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of antagonist Iran could also intensify its attacks on its direct antagonists. — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026 But of course where there’s one rat, there are usually more, and swarms of rats and an angry sea soon become the man’s antagonists. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026 However, the true antagonist of Forgotten Island is encroaching adulthood. — Parents, 25 Sep. 2026 Crowe, watching from behind one-way glass and turning up in encounters beyond the confines of the study itself, gives that intensity a perfectly legible antagonist, if not always a valid one. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
  1. enemy
  2. opponent
  3. foe
  4. rival
  5. adversary
Noun
  • Drawing on authoritarianism scholars, the piece contends that linking criticism of Trump to hostility toward America can stigmatize dissent and make opponents appear to be enemies of the country.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • One of them, journalist Tomas, goes public with the information, unleashing powerful enemies.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • Chuck Sargent Houston USC executes yet another belly flop against a top opponent, and Gary Patterson’s vaunted defense is giving up more than 35 points per game in the Big Ten.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The measure has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters arguing that early intervention could reduce per-student costs over time and opponents saying property owners already face rising costs and the district should use existing resources.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • Familiar foes The Dodgers and Brewers are meeting in the postseason for the fourth time — all since 2018.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • With a 4-3 loss in Game 3 of the 2026 ALDS, the Yankees’ season ended with an AL East foe partying at their place once again on Wednesday.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of foe
Noun
  • As with other aspects of the company, Lauder is continually forging new ways of working to increase speed-to-market and give it a competitive edge over rivals.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Mayor Johnson has attracted criticism from his 2027 rivals for not distancing himself from Dominguez.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of rival
Noun
  • Gaines was also in the building that night, and her adversary and Olympic legend Simone Biles was the team's guest of honor for that game.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Recent polling suggests Americans broadly agree with their push to slow down AI development, as the communist adversary the leftists support is powering ahead with the technology for military purposes.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of adversary

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antagonism
antagonist
antagonistic
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Cite this Entry

“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on antagonist

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antagonist

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