agonistic

adjective

ˌa-gə-ˈni-stik How to pronounce agonistic (audio)
Definition of agonisticnext
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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonistic
  1. aggressive
  2. militant
  3. hostile
  4. contentious
Adjective
  • And this sort of confrontation has become more common in recent years as Beijing has taken a more aggressive stance.
    — Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • By balancing strict fiscal management with an aggressive plan to diversify support and expand with new donors, the organization aims to ensure long-term stability while continuing to deliver high-quality artistic programming to Charlotte.
    — Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • That militant arm of the Democratic Party kept Black voters from going to the polls, sometimes by violence, The Observer reported.
    — Chase Jordan July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • So far, the Houthis have been unable or unwilling to enforce the blockade that the militant group announced Tuesday.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • The instinct most change-makers follow is to spend their energy converting the hostile 10%.
    — Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The three companies intend to develop integrated solutions capable of detecting, tracking and defeating hostile drones operating in maritime environments, where protecting ships and offshore assets presents unique operational challenges.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • In the meantime, the deadly encounter has reignited a contentious debate about body cameras, one that has long vexed local officials and pitted some of the city’s progressive groups against each other.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
  • Now its rise is intensifying an already contentious race between the US and China to dominate cutting-edge AI.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of contentious

Browse Nearby Words

agonies
agonistic
agonize
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“Agonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonistic. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on agonistic

Nglish: Translation of agonistic for Spanish Speakers

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