Synonyms of agonistic

agonistic

adjective

ˌa-gə-ˈni-stik 

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight

clearly a writer with a chip on his shoulder, he's very agonistic even when stating indisputable facts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aggressive
• militant
• hostile
• contentious
• assaultive
• combative
• irritable
• warlike
• confrontational
• pugnacious
• acidic
• belligerent
• gladiatorial
• ugly
• bellicose
• fierce
• argumentative
• feisty
• quarrelsome
• antagonistic
• disputatious
• vicious
• savage
• truculent
• scrappy
• discordant
• chippy
• on the warpath
• brawly
• rude
• fighting
• cross
• warring
• disagreeable
• petulant
• querulous
• fretful
• fractious
• dyspeptic
• peevish
• irascible
• bilious
• pettish
• ornery
• waspish
• testy
• snappish
• bristly
• surly
• choleric
• battling
• hot-tempered
• bearish
• grouchy
• grumpy
• crabby
• huffy
• touchy
• ill-natured
• ill-humored
• ill-tempered
• stroppy
• cranky
• prickly
• snappy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonaggressive
• peaceful
• peaceable
• pacific
• unwarlike
• pleasant
• friendly
• amiable
• conciliatory
• benevolent
• nonbelligerent
• uncontentious
• sociable
• good-natured
• cordial
• amicable
• gracious
• easygoing
• affable
• genial
• complaisant
• antimilitarist
• uncombative
• quiet
• ingratiating
• calm
• unbelligerent
• mild
• serene
• tranquil
• kindhearted
• benign
• anti-imperialist
• obliging
• gentle
• relaxed
• good-tempered
• kindly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of agonistic

Their observations reveal that Bruce dominates not only in agonistic interactions but also socially during feeding. — Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2026

Ong used the word agonistic; oral cultures are competitive. — Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026

Many owners in the city feel stuck—the dog is trigger stacked from the urban environment and more likely to have agonistic reactions towards other dogs as a result. — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Sep. 2025

The kitchen remains bloody and agonistic, demanding the preparation of yet another family meal. — E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 14 July 2023

The agonistic, Faulknerian circumstances fill the house with awful silences. — Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Dec. 2022

Finally, serial attacks may signal the agonistic potential of a family to other flock members. — Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 11 July 2012

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