1
as in enemies
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 opponents
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
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Recent Examples of antagonists
Reporting points to a cinematic story trailer rather than a gameplay deep-dive, fleshing out Lucia and Jason's relationship, the antagonists, and more of Leonida's tone.
—
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 20 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
Leto has a long history of portraying antagonists.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Rather than positioning herself as one of the president’s loudest Democratic antagonists, Whitmer opted to work with the White House on issues affecting Michigan.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Much of these first two episodes is devoted to setting up the Jacksons as the show’s antagonists — sometimes unexpectedly.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Brooks is one of the league's best defensive players and best antagonists.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 20 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
Leto has a long history of portraying antagonists.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Rather than positioning herself as one of the president’s loudest Democratic antagonists, Whitmer opted to work with the White House on issues affecting Michigan.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Much of these first two episodes is devoted to setting up the Jacksons as the show’s antagonists — sometimes unexpectedly.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Brooks is one of the league's best defensive players and best antagonists.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonists
Noun
-
Those of us who care about keeping liberalism alive need Europeans to start defending it against all of its enemies—in Moscow, Beijing, and Washington.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
-
In the book, Leganski offers a rare, unfettered account of what goes into becoming speaker of the House, and takes digs at enemies.—
Zak Hudak,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
In Monday’s annual Homeowners Association board election, president Karl de Borbon is running for a ninth consecutive term against opponents who accuse him of rigging last year’s election and a June 8 vote for a swimming pool deck refurbishment project and a bylaw amendment.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
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But the move enabled Florida to lock in what will be one of the best top-six forward groups in the league, slotting Brady Tkachuck into the left wing spot on the second line alongside center Sam Bennett and right wing Matthew Tkachuk that will cause opponents major headaches.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
The Atlas Lions also frustrated their Scottish foes with their physicality, taking down Christie, McTominay and others with a series of hard challenges that did not draw whistles.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
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Sure, Carpenter’s cut-the-ruggers are pizzazzing with their flips and cartwheels, but the Grande gang make formidable dance foes in the Sharks and Jets sense of the word.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The intoxicating pull of the manosphere – the hyper-online community led by men who tout misogynistic definitions of manliness – has given Glass a boisterous brigade of rivals.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
-
But its comfort, confidence, and overall road smoothness equal many of its rivals’ personas.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
One of the project’s most significant adversaries is the city of Sacramento — while the area is not under their governance, city officials argue the development would violate a decades-old habitat conservation agreement with the county.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
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The adversaries made for a striking scene, exchanging insults in mutually unintelligible languages in the dead of night.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Antagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonists. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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