agonist

[ag-uh-nist]

noun

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

2. a person who is torn by inner conflict.

3. Physiology.,  a contracting muscle whose action is opposed by another muscle.

4. Pharmacology.,  a chemical substance capable of activating a receptor to induce a full or partial pharmacological response.

agonist

/ ˈæɡənɪst /

noun

1. any muscle that is opposed in action by another muscle Compare antagonist

2. a competitor, as in an agon

agonist

1. A muscle that actively contracts to produce a desired movement.

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

3. Compare antagonist

Word History and Origins

Origin of agonist¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of agonist¹

C17: from Greek agōn _agon

Example Sentences

Combining low doses of the drug tirzepatide, a "dual agonist" that works, in part, by activating GLP-1 receptors, with the hormone oxytocin results in weight loss without gastrointestinal side effects in obese rats.

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The analyses evaluated three GLP-1 receptor agonists used for weight management and found that each one produced clinically important weight loss when compared with placebo.

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GLP-1 receptor agonists are known to lower inflammation throughout the body, enhance insulin sensitivity, and promote weight loss -- all factors that can influence cancer growth and progression.

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A new class of drugs, orexin agonists, has generated transformational efficacy in keeping patients awake.

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Dopamine agonists can over-stimulate such feelings - helping sufferers of some movement disorders which may be caused by low levels of dopamine.

Read more on BBC