agonist

[ ag-uh-nist ]

/ ˈæg ə nɪst /

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noun

a person engaged in a contest, conflict, struggle, etc., especially the protagonist in a literary work.

a person who is torn by inner conflict.

Physiology. a contracting muscle whose action is opposed by another muscle.Compare antagonist (def. 3).

Pharmacology. a chemical substance capable of activating a receptor to induce a full or partial pharmacological response.Compare antagonist (def. 5).

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of agonist

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin agōnista, from Greek agōnistḗs “contestant,” equivalent to agṓn agon + -istēs -ist

Words nearby agonist

agone, gone coon, a, a goner, agonic, agonic line, agonist, agonistic, agonize, agonized, agonizing, agony

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use agonist in a sentence

These medications—GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors—have been shown to have a significant impact on lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke.
People With Diabetes Are More Vulnerable to Heart Disease. How to Reduce the Risk|Elaine K. Howley|July 20, 2022|Time
A class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists can interact with GLP-1 receptors in ways that lower appetite, slow digestion, and provide other benefits for people with Type 2 diabetes.
These New Developments Could Make Living With Type 2 Diabetes More Manageable|Markham Heid|July 15, 2022|Time
Agonist, ag′o-nist, n. one who contends for a prize in public games.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for agonist

agonist

/ (ˈæɡənɪst) /

noun

any muscle that is opposed in action by another muscleCompare antagonist (def. 2)

a competitor, as in an agon

Word Origin for agonist

C17: from Greek agōn agon

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

Scientific definitions for agonist

agonist

[ ăg′ə-nĭst ]

A muscle that actively contracts to produce a desired movement.

A chemical substance, especially a drug, that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiologic response. Compare antagonist.