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 Fehr played Ardeth Bay, the leader of the secret society of elite warriors known as the Medjai who are sworn to protect Egypt from the franchise’s undead antagonist. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026 This does not sound like power-mad self-aggrandizement, whatever Fauci’s Senate antagonists might say. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2026 Based on that lore and the ending of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, the story appears to be building toward Afton’s return as Springtrap, the terrifying primary antagonist of the third game. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 With fan favorites like Roman Reigns and even former heel Solo Sikoa now cheered, the company struggles to establish credible antagonists, despite the high quality of recent matches. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
  1. enemy
  2. opponent
  3. foe
  4. rival
  5. adversary
Noun
  • The two started off as enemies as Judy joined the Zootopia Police Department, but then put aside their differences to solve a mystery in the animal city.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Inspired by true events, her feature film debut tells the dark story of a small northeastern German village at the end of WWII, when the Nazi regime gave its citizens the order to leave nothing alive for the enemy to find.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • Oklahoma, where Daniels played last season, shared several common opponents with LSU, where Perkins spent his four-year college career.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The leader of anti-immigration party Reform UK is running in an election as the incumbent favorite, and his main opponent is a man dressed as a garbage can.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • His political foes described the move as a stunt and opted against standing a candidate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The good guys protecting us from people who want to work and live here will continue their morally upright quest by electrocuting their foes into submission.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of foe
Noun
  • But keeping their promotion rivals at bay most definitely was, Parkinson’s men conceding 24 times in those dozen games, 16 of which came on Welsh soil.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Chinese rivals Baidu Apollo Go and WeRide, meanwhile, are ramping up plans and tests for operating autonomous rides in Europe.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of rival
Noun
  • The Russia and Ukraine conflict grinds into a fifth year; a new Fed chair settles in while tariff policy whipsaws through the courts; tensions with allies and adversaries alike continue to flare.
    — Nigel Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Satellite navigation can fail when an adversary jams GPS or China’s BeiDou system.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of adversary

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antagonism
antagonist
antagonistic
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Cite this Entry

“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on antagonist

Nglish: Translation of antagonist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antagonist

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