antagonism

American  

[an-tag-uh-niz-uhm] / ænˈtæg əˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. an active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or conflicting groups.

   the antagonism between the liberal and the conservative parties.

   Synonyms:

   strife, friction, conflict

2. an opposing force, principle, or tendency.

   Her plan to become an actress met with the antagonism of her family.

   Synonyms:

   animosity

3. Physiology. an opposing action, as by one muscle in relation to another.

4. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. the opposing action of substances, as drugs, that when taken together decrease the effectiveness of at least one of them (contrasted with synergism).

5. Ecology.

   1. a relationship between two species of organisms in which the individuals of each species adversely affect the other, as in competition.

   2. 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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antagonism British  

/ ænˈtæɡəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. openly expressed and usually mutual opposition

2. the inhibiting or nullifying action of one substance or organism on another

3. physiol the normal opposition between certain muscles

4. biology the inhibition or interference of growth of one kind of organism by another

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Other Word Forms

• interantagonism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of antagonism

First recorded in 1835–40; from French antagonisme, from Greek antagṓnisma; see antagonize, -ism

Explanation

Antagonism means hostility. You might feel antagonism toward your annoying little sister, particularly if she's always borrowing your stuff without asking. Antagonism is one of the few things you can share easily with someone you don't like. You might feel antagonism toward your school, or at least the idea of going to school. If you're an antagonistic person, you feel antagonism to lots of people and things.

Example Sentences

Despite this resilience, the baseline outlook if the regime survives and antagonism with the West continues is grim.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Gender-focused research supports the lived experience of what women already know: There is a rising tide of gender-based antagonism both online and offline.

From Slate • Jan. 6, 2026

Yet, the film remains seductive despite its near-constant cacophonous antagonism.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2025

Lean and athletic, with a wildness in his eyes, Ray displays the same antagonism as Day-Lewis’ Bill the Butcher from “Gangs of New York” or Daniel Plainview in “There Will Be Blood.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025

He had expected to encounter antagonism, even confrontation, and instead was being offered sly, misguided collusion.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Related Words

• animosity
• animus
• antipathy
• disagreement
• discord
• dissension
• enmity
• friction
• hatred
• hostility
• opposition
• rancor
• resistance
• rivalry