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
Reum dressed up as the antagonist of the film, Captain Hook, wearing a big pirate hat, a sword and his very own hook hand.
—
Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The two sides are long-term antagonists.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025
The new season introduces formidable antagonists played by Jaideep Ahlawat as Rukma and Nimrat Kaur as Meera, who push the protagonist to his limits.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Seven or eight of his primary antagonists, including me, were all standing around when the idea came up, again.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The two sides are long-term antagonists.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025
The new season introduces formidable antagonists played by Jaideep Ahlawat as Rukma and Nimrat Kaur as Meera, who push the protagonist to his limits.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Seven or eight of his primary antagonists, including me, were all standing around when the idea came up, again.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
Noun
-
This means people had to be close enough to see and mark the target, often within range of enemy fire.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
-
After meeting as children in 1950s Naples, their story goes on to cover over 60 years, exploring the mystery of Lila – Elena’s brilliant best friend and, in a way, her worst enemy.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
While many fans seem to favor the tournament already, there are early rumors that Cena's final opponent could be GUNTHER, a newer star within WWE who has already held several championships, including the World Heavyweight Championship twice.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Five different opponents have scored their season-high in points against the Cowboys this season.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Trump’s tariff strong-arming has rattled relationships with America’s friends and foes.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Gun down enemies Contra-style, deflect bullets, and enter bullet-time to make quick work of your foes.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
1 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Once a manufacturing subcontractor of South Korean companies, China has now become their global rival in key industries like EV and electronics.—
Se Eun Gong,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
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Florida had a shot at a program-defining win against the rival that tormented it the most.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Trump levied his greatest assault against the international economic order, announcing the most expansive set of tariffs in American history on both autocratic adversaries and America’s closest democratic allies in April 2025 (Russia was strikingly excluded).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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This is a kind of tribal affiliation that depends on an adversary.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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