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 recent years, opponents have felt comfortable defending their 12-personnel sets with both heavy and light personnel.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Overall, the Knicks went 16-3 in the 2026 playoffs and did so in dramatic fashion, outscoring their opponents by 283 points in those 19 games — by far the biggest single-postseason point differential in NBA history.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The demonstration, which had been previously organized by a hodgepodge of activist groups after weeks of negotiations with local authorities, was otherwise peaceful — with environmentalists, women’s rights advocates, supporters of Palestinians and foes of imperialism, fascism and capitalism.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Activist groups including environmentalists, feminists and foes of capitalism have called for a big demonstration later Sunday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
There followed a series of European successes (Italy, Spain, Germany, France) before the anguish, for Brazilians, of seeing big South American rivals Argentina win a third world title in Qatar four years ago.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
-
Newsday via Getty Images The Atlanta Braves entered the season expecting to face a significant challenge from their division rivals, particularly after the New York Mets revamped their own roster with several star additions.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
14 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 21 Jun. 2026.
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