What does antagonist mean?
Definitions for antagonist
ænˈtæg ə nɪstan·tag·o·nist
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word antagonist.
Princeton's WordNet
adversary, antagonist, opponent, opposer, resisternoun
someone who offers opposition
antagonistnoun
a muscle that relaxes while another contracts
"when bending the elbow the triceps are the antagonist"
antagonistnoun
a drug that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of another drug
Wiktionary
antagonistnoun
An opponent or enemy.
antagonistnoun
One who antagonizes or stirs.
antagonistnoun
The main character or force opposing the protagonist in a literary work or drama.
Etymology: From antagonista, from (ἀντί + ἀγωνιστής), from.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Antagonistnoun
Etymology: ἀντὶ and ἀγωίνζω.
Our antagonists in these controversies may have met with some not unlike to Ithacius. Richard Hooker, Dedication.
What was set before him,
To heave, pull, draw, and break, he still perform’d,
None daring to appear antagonist. John Milton, Sampson Agon.Is it not fit, that the history of a person should appear, till the prejudice both of his antagonists and adherents be softened and subdued. Joseph Addison, Freeholder, №. 35.
The short club consists of those who are under five feet; ours is to be composed of such as are above six. These we look upon as the two extremes and antagonists of the species; considering all these as neuters, who fill up the middle space. Joseph Addison, Guardian, №. 108.
A relaxation of a muscle must produce a spasm in its antagonist, because the equilibrium is destroyed. John Arbuthnot, on Diet.
Wikipedia
Antagonist
An antagonist is a character in a story who is presented as the chief enemy of the protagonist.
ChatGPT
antagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or a force that opposes the protagonist or main character in a story, often creating conflict or tension. In a broader context, it can also refer to anything that actively opposes or acts against something, such as a drug that counteracts the effects of another substance in the body.
Webster Dictionary
Antagonistnoun
one who contends with another, especially in combat; an adversary; an opponent
Antagonistnoun
a muscle which acts in opposition to another; as a flexor, which bends a part, is the antagonist of an extensor, which extends it
Antagonistnoun
a medicine which opposes the action of another medicine or of a poison when absorbed into the blood or tissues
Antagonistadjective
antagonistic; opposing; counteracting; as, antagonist schools of philosophy
Wikidata
Antagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend. In other words, an antagonist is a person or a group of people who oppose the main character. In the classic style of stories wherein the action consists of a hero fighting a villain/enemy, the two can be regarded as protagonist and antagonist, respectively. The antagonist may also represent a major threat or obstacle to the main character by their very existence, without necessarily deliberately targeting him or her. Examples in both film and theatre include Sauron, the main antagonist in The Lord of the Rings, who constantly battles the series' protagonists, and Tybalt, an antagonist in Romeo and Juliet, who slays Mercutio and whose later death results in the exiling of the play's protagonist, Romeo. A convention of the antagonist in a story is that their moral choices are less savoury than those of the protagonist. This is often used by an author to create conflict within a story. However, this is merely a convention and the reversal of this can be seen in the character Macduff from Macbeth, who is arguably morally correct in his desire to fight the tyrant Macbeth.
Matched Categories
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Anagrams for antagonist »
stagnation
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of antagonist in Chaldean Numerology is: 7
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of antagonist in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3
Examples of antagonist in a Sentence
Vladimir Putin's Russia behaves ... in some respects and in very important respects, as an antagonist, that is new. That is something, therefore, that we need to adjust to and counter.
When you meet your antagonist, do everything in a mild and agreeable manner. Let your courage be as keen, but at the same time as polished, as your sword.
It makes me even more determined that I’m going to do everything I can to stop men from going into bathrooms with my daughters, my wife and my granddaughters, i am going to be a very outspoken antagonist on this issue.
Difficulties show men what they are. In case of any difficulty remember that God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil.
Darkness draws near, yet we remain blind to its encroachment. As families, let us unite in prayer both in the morning and night, for though the antagonist may not be physically present, the spirit of his malevolence permeates. In this critical juncture, a call echoes—Now is the time to pray more than ever. There exists a season for everything, and in these moments of uncertainty, the power of collective prayer becomes our beacon against the impending shadows.
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References
Translations for antagonist
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- প্রতিপক্ষBengali
- antagonistaCatalan, Valencian
- AntagonistGerman
- ανταγωνιστήςGreek
- antagonistaSpanish
- حریف, مخالف, رقیب, دشمن, هماوردPersian
- antagonisteFrench
- blokkoló, ellenfélHungarian
- antagonis, penentangMalay
- KjemiskNorwegian
- antagonistaPortuguese
- antagonist, oponentRomanian
- антагонистRussian
- motståndareSwedish
Get even more translations for antagonist »
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"antagonist." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 8 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/antagonist>.
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