antagonism

noun

an·​tag·​o·​nism an-ˈta-gə-ˌni-zəm 

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

personal antagonism

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

• hostility
• grudge
• hatred

Choose the Right Synonym for antagonism

enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will.

enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility.

a natural antipathy for self-seekers

antagonism between the brothers

animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

Examples of antagonism in a Sentence

The region has a long history of ethnic antagonisms.

the antagonism between them was so bad they couldn't even sit near each other

Recent Examples on the Web

An important aspect of the kinship between Irish and Black American culture is the spirit of subversion and play that arises because of this simultaneous dependence and antagonism. —Benjamin Hale june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025

The ethnic antagonism in The Fabelmans, from 2022, suggests that Spielberg came to distrust the parochialism that the white Anglo-Saxon Beach Boys represented, along with the diversity that Americans had struggled against. —Armond White, National Review, 18 June 2025

The Tony-award winning play returns to Hogwarts 19 years after the events of the last book in the series — Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — and follows the new alliances and antagonisms between the children of Potter generation. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 June 2025

Tariffs would threaten the stability of the global economy, reduce the flow of crucial goods into the United States and result in global antagonism that would make deals much harder to consummate. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see antagonize

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for antagonism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Kids Definition

antagonism

noun

an·​tag·​o·​nism an-ˈtag-ə-ˌniz-əm 

: a state of being opposed to something or unfriendly toward someone

Medical Definition

antagonism

noun

an·​tag·​o·​nism an-ˈtag-ə-ˌniz-əm 

: opposition in physiological action:

a

: opposing action in the effect of contraction of muscles (as the extensors and flexors of a part)

b

: interaction of two or more substances such that the action of any one of them on living cells or tissues is lessened (as by interference with the uptake or by an opposing physiological reaction) compare synergism