antagonist

noun

an-ˈta-gə-nist How to pronounce antagonist (audio)
Definition of antagonistnext
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

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 antagonist The network known as Fairshake spent $40 million in 2024 to unseat Brown, then the Senate Banking Committee chair; after Brown lost, crypto antagonist-in-chief Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts replaced him as the panel’s top Democrat. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026 That genre run includes one of her most recognizable roles, a maternally malevolent antagonist in David Cronenberg’s The Brood (1979). — Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2026 Blaze/Ghost Rider did not exactly have a signature villain but did have a coterie of demonic antagonists. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026 The film gave him a prominent supporting role as Duke, the antagonist. — Chaseedaw Giles, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
  1. enemy
  2. opponent
  3. foe
  4. rival
  5. adversary
Noun
  • Not among our political enemies, not among our historical heroes, not among our martyrs, not among the incels, and not among the collaborators.
    — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
  • So far, neither the city nor the conservancy seems willing to see speed itself as the enemy, but maybe another fatal crash or two will convince them.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • Since interim head coach Ryan Richter took over during the World Cup break, Philadelphia earned 43 of a possible 57 points while outscoring opponents 48-22 during that span.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Much of his campaign was run against the Democratic establishment, with his primary opponent backed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
    — Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • Former foes resurface to settle scores and fresh allegiances form, leaving him to act on his own to shield his family and bring things back under control.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
  • As the votes came in, SpaceX and Tesla shares dropped, as investors perhaps questioned if a potential merger between those firms may now be in doubt, with Musk’s political foes back in power and in a position to add friction.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of foe
Noun
  • But now, after El-Sayed’s defeat of GOP rival Mike Rogers was confirmed early Wednesday, there is a pervasive sense that a broader victory is at hand.
    — Jacqueline GaNun, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • As Democrats blew away their Republican rivals in an unprecedented midterm sweep Tuesday, the Make America Health Again movement also got bowled over, raising questions about the fate of the motley movement.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of rival
Noun
  • The initiative will target foreign adversaries and domestic actors who exploit advanced systems for unlawful purposes.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Also known as an adversary-in-the-middle attack, on-path attacks happen when a hacker gains access to a piece of infrastructure sending traffic back and forth between two parties.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of adversary

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Cite this Entry

“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on antagonist

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antagonist

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