antagonism
Americannoun
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an active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or conflicting groups.
the antagonism between the liberal and the conservative parties.
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an opposing force, principle, or tendency.
Her plan to become an actress met with the antagonism of her family.
- Synonyms:
- animosity
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Physiology. an opposing action, as by one muscle in relation to another.
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Biochemistry, Pharmacology. the opposing action of substances, as drugs, that when taken together decrease the effectiveness of at least one of them (synergism ).
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Ecology.
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a relationship between two species of organisms in which the individuals of each species adversely affect the other, as in competition.
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the inhibition of the growth of one type of organism by a different type that is competing for the same ecological niche.
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noun
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openly expressed and usually mutual opposition
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the inhibiting or nullifying action of one substance or organism on another
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physiol the normal opposition between certain muscles
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biology the inhibition or interference of growth of one kind of organism by another
Other Word Forms
- interantagonism noun
Etymology
Origin of antagonism
First recorded in 1835–40; from French antagonisme, from Greek antagṓnisma; antagonize, -ism
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.
Meanwhile, other rivalries—with U.S. allies on both sides—are supplanting the Iran-Israel antagonism.
The expression on the man’s face changed from antagonism to concern.
From Literature
The definitive bands working in the style took the loud and rude antagonism of punk and integrated forms outside of rock, incorporating the bass-forward presentation of reggae and the abstraction of art-rock.
William, worried about the growing antagonism between English and Scots over the affair, pushed for a political union between the two countries.
“He may not encourage antagonism, but he will not permit the softness in amiability.”
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.
