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

• animosity
• animus
• antipathy
• bad blood
• bitterness
• enmity
• gall
• grudge
• hostility
• jaundice
• rancor

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

At least part of this antagonism is due to a psychology of conflation, by which a typical homeowner reflexively associates the notion of any homeless neighbor with the most dangerous depictions of the unsheltered: the addict desperate for a fix, the lunatic raging at unseen demons. —Jeff Hobbs, Time, 10 Apr. 2025

But the cuts, in many ways, appear to be rooted in a similar antagonism. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025

Specifically the Trump administration’s unprecedented level of antagonism toward Europe. —Miles Bryan, Vox, 31 Mar. 2025

The financial damage and antagonism a divorce can create can be tremendous. —Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 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