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
Parker seems poised to be the primary antagonist — until Sacha Baron Cohen steps in at the 11th hour.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 25 June 2025
Trump proclaimed on Truth Social to the two antagonists, just a day after having publicly considered pursuing regime change in Tehran.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
Peter Dinklage stars as the titular Toxic Avenger, with Jacob Tremblay as his son, and Kevin Bacon as the chief antagonist, Bob Garbinger.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Cargill will play Meeka, a key lieutenant in the Apollo Kids and one of the film’s central antagonists.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Alison Herman, Variety, 25 June 2025
Trump proclaimed on Truth Social to the two antagonists, just a day after having publicly considered pursuing regime change in Tehran.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
Peter Dinklage stars as the titular Toxic Avenger, with Jacob Tremblay as his son, and Kevin Bacon as the chief antagonist, Bob Garbinger.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Cargill will play Meeka, a key lieutenant in the Apollo Kids and one of the film’s central antagonists.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
Noun
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Trump appointed Bondi as attorney general after numerous reports suggested the president wanted a loyalist who would do his bidding and seek retribution against his enemies, after Trump faced pushback in his first term from previous attorneys general like William Barr.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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Still, fun enemy designs – such as one pictured above based on the Hydnellum peckii (bleeding tooth fungus) – already started to come together.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
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This machinery radicalizes communities, recruits operatives, launders funds, and targets opponents abroad.—
Roya Boroumand,
Time,
9 July 2025
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Siegemund has the ability to change the depth, speed, angles and spins of her shots over and over, which can frustrate any opponent and dull the type of power that Sabalenka brings to the court.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
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The Old Guard 2 (Netflix movie) Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors face a powerful new foe.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
28 June 2025
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President Donald Trump brokered an historic ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran on Monday, marking a dramatic pause in the most significant military confrontation between the two foes.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
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The Horned Frogs also beat out more in-league rivals for three-star offensive lineman Devan Robison.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 June 2025
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Mauricio Pochettino’s side weathered a strong challenge from Costa Rica, playing the Ticos to a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes before getting past their regional rival in a six-round shootout (4-3) Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Noun
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Orgs must adopt the tools and tactics of their adversaries.—
Eyal Benishti,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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Others point out the irony that, as the government fixated on enforcing the veiling law and cracking down on political dissidents under the pretext of fighting foreign subversion, its actual adversaries were quietly infiltrating its most sensitive institutions.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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