ANTAGONIST Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

antagonist

noun

an-ˈta-gə-nist

Definition of antagonist

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

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 label’s Clayface, about the Batman antagonist, is their first lower-budget genre movie, opens October 23. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 Iran could also intensify its attacks on its direct antagonists. — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026 But of course where there’s one rat, there are usually more, and swarms of rats and an angry sea soon become the man’s antagonists. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026 However, the true antagonist of Forgotten Island is encroaching adulthood. — Parents, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for antagonist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist

Noun

And strength to resist reducing complex human challenges to slogans, enemies, or simple answers.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
In other words, the brain makes sure that the Valkyrie follows European protocols about when to engage with and fire upon an enemy.

— David Szondy October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of enemy

Noun

After building an action camera capable of tracking speedy cyclists and skiers, HoverAir decided to tackle a foe that had foiled other consumer drone manufacturers.

— Max Cea, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Ward is 3-19 as a starting quarterback, which includes a 0-7 mark against AFC South foes, and is staring another loss to a divisional rival in the face with the Titans traveling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts on Sunday.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of foe

Noun

And that could be exactly what the Horned Frogs need to snap their rival’s four-game winning streak.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026
Democrats are more than happy to draw those connections, pummeling their Republican rivals for standing by a president who is unpopular with so many voters.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rival

Noun

The integration could help American troops operate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) when adversaries attempt to disrupt battlefield communications.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Washington, for its part, is creating friction in many of its partnerships instead of deepening them, and risks squandering its network just as its adversaries are learning to make more of theirs.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of adversary

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antagonism

antagonist

antagonistic

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Style

“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of antagonist

noun

Example Sentences

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