1
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
please name the novel's hero and his antagonist
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opponent
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict
his antagonist in the boxing match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of antagonist
More than ever, the lead antagonists’ handful of confrontations are high points.
—
Bob Strauss, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
More than ever, the lead antagonists’ handful of confrontations are high points.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
Antonia has also wound up with her family, including her grandmother, an irascible old woman who is both Antonia’s role model and perhaps chief antagonist.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
The biggest antagonist to this style of biscuit is pressure.
—Ella Quittner, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Bob Strauss, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
More than ever, the lead antagonists’ handful of confrontations are high points.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
Antonia has also wound up with her family, including her grandmother, an irascible old woman who is both Antonia’s role model and perhaps chief antagonist.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
The biggest antagonist to this style of biscuit is pressure.
—Ella Quittner, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
Noun
-
Person after person portrayed Democrats as the enemy trying to drive a wedge between conservatives in an election year, where Republicans want to keep control of Congress and win races up and down the ballot.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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Swalwell was among those named by Patel, who has said that his critics are mischaracterizing the appendix by calling it an enemies list.—
Perry Stein The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And yet the first half Sunday felt worse, because of the appalling volume of wide open Pacers three-pointers and the poor quality of the injury-riddled opponent.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Heat have gone 23-22 against Eastern Conference opponents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The teams are potential first-round playoff foes, depending on how high the 10th-place Hornets can climb in the conference standings.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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That sounds more like a right-wing foe of public financing than a supporter.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Next up is a matchup with Big Ten rival Iowa in the Elite 8 on Saturday.—
Ryan Baker,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The alternative option required a bit of help from the Minnesota Twins — their American League Central rivals.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The bill targets countries designated as foreign adversaries, including Communist China, according to the lawmakers.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Criticized by conservatives at home for his conciliatory tone, the reformist politician has also been sidelined by Iran’s adversaries.—
Roxane Razavi,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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