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.
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.”
Less widely recognized is their antagonism for one component of the program: disability coverage.
From Los Angeles Times
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
This is now shaping up as a conflict for the ages, especially as it is unclear how the story that has caused the antagonism will end.
From BBC
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.
