Main Entry:

an·tag·o·nism

Pronunciation:

\an-ˈta-gə-ˌni-zəm\

Function:

noun

Date:

1835

1 a: opposition of a conflicting force, tendency, or principle <the antagonism of democracy to dictatorship> b: actively expressed opposition or hostility <antagonism between factions>2: opposition in physiological action ; especially : interaction of two or more substances such that the action of any one of them on living cells or tissues is lessened

synonyms see enmity