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

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Etymology

Origin of antagonism

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

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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

See Examples For:

antagonism

What it too often comes up against are parasocial responses, antagonism, doxing, or a preciousness around the critique, particularly at a time when Hollywood has rolled back on Black storytelling.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2026

The two families with a long history of antagonism between them are vaguely costumed as either dark forces of oppression or their victims.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

Tech investor Pouladian said Musk’s newfound embrace of Anthropic could stem from Anthropic’s antagonism toward OpenAI, which Musk is fighting in court.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026

"A youth movement will be more effective when internal divisions are minimal, there is ideological plurality without antagonism, and there are few established parties that can easily hijack the movement's results."

From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2026

After all, there was antagonism to our being employed.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

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Related Words

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

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