antagonist
[ an-tag-uh-nist ]
/ ænˈtæg ə nɪst /
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noun
a person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary.
the adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work: Iago is the antagonist of Othello.
Dentistry. a tooth in one jaw that articulates during mastication or occlusion with a tooth in the opposing jaw.
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Origin of antagonist
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin antagōnista, from Greek antagōnistḗs. See antagonize, -ist
synonym study for antagonist
1. See adversary.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH antagonist
antagonist , protagonistWords nearby antagonist
anta, Antabuse, antacid, Antaeus, antagonism, antagonist, antagonistic, antagonistic muscles, antagonize, antagonizer, Antakiya
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for antagonist
British Dictionary definitions for antagonist
antagonist
/ (ænˈtæɡənɪst) /
noun
an opponent or adversary, as in a contest, drama, sporting event, etc
any muscle that opposes the action of anotherCompare agonist (def. 1)
a drug that counteracts the effects of another drugCompare synergist (def. 1)
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
Medical definitions for antagonist
antagonist
[ ăn-tăg′ə-nĭst ]
n.
Something, such as a muscle, disease, or physiological process, that neutralizes or impedes the action or effect of another.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for antagonist
antagonist
[ ăn-tăg′ə-nĭst ]
A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle, as by relaxing while the other one contracts, thereby producing smooth, coordinated movement.
A chemical substance, such as a drug, that interferes with the physiological action of another substance, especially by combining with and blocking its nerve receptor. Compare agonist.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.










