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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of antagonist
Kirk had perhaps no greater antagonist than Fuentes.
—
Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
The duo talk about the casting of the project, down to Kevin O’Leary who plays the antagonist, pen baron Milton Rockwell, who sponsors Timothée Chalamet’s Marty for a tabletop tennis championship in Japan.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2025
To build both a better Iran and a safer world, Tehran and its antagonists will need to find a way out of this spiral.
—Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2025
Durant continued to relish his role as the antagonist throughout the fourth quarter at Ball Arena.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
The duo talk about the casting of the project, down to Kevin O’Leary who plays the antagonist, pen baron Milton Rockwell, who sponsors Timothée Chalamet’s Marty for a tabletop tennis championship in Japan.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2025
To build both a better Iran and a safer world, Tehran and its antagonists will need to find a way out of this spiral.
—Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2025
Durant continued to relish his role as the antagonist throughout the fourth quarter at Ball Arena.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
Noun
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When integrated into multiple systems, the Tactical Edge Electromagnetic Solutions (TEEMS) can jam enemy systems with speed and precision.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Netanyahu said the country would continue trying to bring home the bodies of Israelis still being held across enemy lines, such as Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy hung in Damascus in 1965.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Emmer has been a staunch opponent of Walz for some time, whose antagonism for the governor heightened once Walz became the vice presidential running mate to former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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Garrett faced multiple opponents on 90 percent of his pass rushing snaps prior to Week 18, per PFF.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In a season when so many things seemed to come full circle in New England, Vrabel and the Patriots will attempt to knock off a familiar postseason foe to shift the new era into another gear.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Cuba joined Iran, Russia and other foes of Washington in condemning the raid at the United Nations.—
Robert Muggah,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, who both stand alone as the only squads in their division with winning records, every other divisional leader holds only a slim edge over rivals in hot pursuit.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Recently, archaeologists found a massive stone basin in Italy dating back more than 2,000 years — remnants of a once-powerful rival of Rome.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Celebrini hit the zone with speed, found quiet ice behind the play and got the puck back to weave through five adversaries and deliver a laser that guaranteed the Sharks at least one point.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Then, later in the quarter, Green gave his adversary a hard shove in the chest on a trip downcourt that was not called a foul.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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