antagonism

[ an-tag-uh-niz-uhm ]

/ ænˈtæg əˌnɪz əm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR antagonism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or conflicting groups: the antagonism between the liberal and the conservative parties.

an opposing force, principle, or tendency: Her plan to become an actress met with the antagonism of her family.

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

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).

Ecology.

a relationship between two species of organisms in which the individuals of each species adversely affect the other, as in competition.
the inhibition of the growth of one type of organism by a different type that is competing for the same ecological niche.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of antagonism

1835–40; (< French antagonisme) < Greek antagṓnisma. See antagonize, -ism

SYNONYMS FOR antagonism

1. conflict, friction, strife. 2. animosity.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR antagonism ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsin·ter·an·tag·o·nism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for antagonism

Work that alienates one reader to the point of antagonism can feel like a perfect fit to another.
Lars Iyer’s ‘Wittgenstein Jr.’ Plumbs the Deep Fun of Philosophical Fiction|Drew Smith|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the antagonism sure to be generated by such racial disparities was magnified by the sheer number of cases.
Ferguson Feeds Off the Poor: Three Warrants a Year Per Household|Michael Daly|August 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On more than one occasion, literal fights broke out behind closed doors, and the antagonism often fell along racial lines.
Liberals Slam Andrew Cuomo’s Deals With New York GOP|David Freedlander|December 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It is important not to set out on a path of antagonism towards the leaders in Israel and Palestine.
Yes He Can Make Peace|Gershon Baskin|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The antagonism between News Corp. and the BBC goes back a long way.
Rupert Murdoch’s Battle With the BBC|Peter Jukes|March 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Subconsciously, if not directly though, Bab began to divine a hint of antagonism in the man.
Rich Man, Poor Man|Maximilian Foster
She instinctively recognised their antagonism and was afraid Betty would do something an English baronet would think vulgar.
The Shuttle|Frances Hodgson Burnett
It was an unfathomable look,--partly of pain, partly of antagonism.
Between Whiles|Helen Hunt Jackson
Inconsistently enough, he missed the antagonism of the European critics.
Fanny Herself|Edna Ferber
The leading papers of the two factions are very hostile, and keep alive the feeling of antagonism.
Peculiarities of American Cities|Willard Glazier

British Dictionary definitions for antagonism

antagonism

/ (ænˈtæɡəˌnɪzəm) /

noun

openly expressed and usually mutual opposition

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

physiol the normal opposition between certain muscles

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

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

Word Origin and History for antagonism

antagonism

1797, from French antagonisme or directly from late Greek antagonisma, noun of action from antagonizesthai "to struggle against" (see antagonist).

Medicine definitions for antagonism

antagonism

[ ăn-tăg′ə-nĭz′əm ]

n.

Mutual opposition in action between structures, agents, diseases, or physiological processes.mutual resistance