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

Relevance

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 Moreno then took Episodes 3 and 4, bringing his flair for humor and character to the introduction of Fernanda del Carpio, a key antagonist. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 July 2026 Camlipixant is in the P2X3 antagonist class, which has seen other drug candidates fall by the wayside. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 17 July 2026 Neill was magnetic as the ruthless CI Major Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders—an antagonist and romantic rival of Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby. — ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026 What happens next depends on the antagonists vying over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for antagonist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist

Noun

Scotland changed its anthem to ‘Flower Of Scotland’ — a folk song written in the 1960s, and whose lyrics take occasional aim at its neighbour and old enemy to the south — across their sports teams in the 1990s.

— George Edwards, New York Times, 31 July 2026
The game is also not easy; there’s a lot of bullet hell here, and many rooms are tight and filled with hazards and enemies.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Definition of enemy

Noun

Smith, the political science professor, said Marshall’s constituents and opponents are likely to demand more information.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
For more than a decade, India’s leader Narendra Modi has seemed politically unassailable, presiding over a government that has outmaneuvered opponents, dominated public discourse and squeezed the space for dissent in the world’s biggest democracy.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

Definition of opponent

Noun

In February, Baresi was one of the torchbearers for the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, appearing alongside former Inter Milan and Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi, his longtime rival on the pitch.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Elizabeth chooses Bobby as her rival; the mustang is left as their muse.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026

Definition of rival

Noun

And on Wednesday, his relatives, colleagues and one-time adversaries gathered near that office to share them.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
The money reflects the pace of current operations, officials say, but also acknowledges Pentagon concerns about the kinds of activities America’s adversaries are undertaking in space.

— Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2026

Definition of adversary

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antagonism

antagonist

antagonistic

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of antagonist

noun

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