1
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
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
The movie, which reunites the gang in a battle against an iPad-like antagonist named Lilypad, has a strong premise, and its dynamic, watercolor-style rendering of playtime is a big step forward animation-wise.
—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
The narrative chronicled an international gang of scientists and military folks that stumble across a Stargate network deep in the Pegasus Galaxy and its insidious alien antagonists called The Wraith.
—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
17 June 2026
Beyond harsher criticism, sports media frames Black athletes differently — often naming them as villains, failures, antagonists or questioning their leadership when necessary.
—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
16 June 2026
In any year, in any culture, there are no antagonists (save for Nazis) better suited as action cinema heavies; rooting against child trafficking lowlifes is moral, easy, and best of all, a completely guiltless pleasure.
—
Andy Crump,
IndieWire,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
The narrative chronicled an international gang of scientists and military folks that stumble across a Stargate network deep in the Pegasus Galaxy and its insidious alien antagonists called The Wraith.
—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
17 June 2026
Beyond harsher criticism, sports media frames Black athletes differently — often naming them as villains, failures, antagonists or questioning their leadership when necessary.
—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
16 June 2026
In any year, in any culture, there are no antagonists (save for Nazis) better suited as action cinema heavies; rooting against child trafficking lowlifes is moral, easy, and best of all, a completely guiltless pleasure.
—
Andy Crump,
IndieWire,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
Noun
-
Corlys and Lohar find each other in the scrum and both land powerful blows before Corlys is thrown into the sea, leaving Alyn of Hull to finish off his father’s enemy.
-
After hours of fighting in the close urban setting, Dockery used smoke grenades to signal enemy positions for American gunships.
Noun
-
That puts those Lawler-supporting Democrats in the unique position of helping choose his next opponent by voting in the June 23 primary.
-
Instead, Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room made an incredible 15 saves and Ecuador walked away with a humbling result against an opponent it was heavily favored to beat.
Noun
-
The two battled, with the Sea Snake about to make the kill after stabbing his foe in the thigh.
-
The South American roster of Leviatán took down Global Esports and NRG in the Swiss Stage to advance to the playoff bracket, but were then met with a formidable foe in the shape of Paper Rex.
Noun
-
In what felt like an absolute fever dream, the PIX 11 studio team was talking to reporter Steve Gelbs before a game against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies.
-
Escalating violence Sydney’s western suburbs are ground zero for a turf war that’s seen criminal gangs shoot up rivals’ homes, ignite cars and businesses, kidnap and kill associates and terrorize their families.
Noun
-
That timing gap is the real adversary.
-
Seoul — North Korea on Tuesday commissioned its largest-ever warship, a 5,000-ton destroyer that military analysts say could give Pyongyang’s adversaries something more to think about in a time of crisis.
Cite this Entry
“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
