1
as in enemies
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 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
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 antagonists
There are no protagonists or antagonists, just people moving through life, Jarmusch catching moments of them the way that David Lynch once caught ideas like fish moving down a stream.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Small groups blocked roads while one contingent of vandals roughed up the lobby of traditionally anti-Kirchner TV station TN (owned by Grupo Clarín, one of Cristina’s historical antagonists).
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The Morning Show Season 4 trailer has arrived, teasing the return of not only Reese Witherspoon’s Bradley Jackson but also one of Season 3’s main antagonists Paul Marks (Jon Hamm).
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Arguably none of the major antagonists proved as impactful to the series as Jon Lithgow's Trinity Killer.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
But that alliance puts our heroes in the sights of antagonists such as Colonel Bradbury (Giancarlo Esposito), a machine-hating military man who does his drone dirty work from his cush home library.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
And aren’t Putin and Russia our antagonists and enemies?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Withholding the bust from his antagonists seemed to give him joy.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Directed by Tate Taylor, best known for The Help and Get on Up, this criminally under-appreciated film allows Spencer’s friendly caretaker and terrifying predator to become one of the most memorable horror antagonists in recent years.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Small groups blocked roads while one contingent of vandals roughed up the lobby of traditionally anti-Kirchner TV station TN (owned by Grupo Clarín, one of Cristina’s historical antagonists).
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The Morning Show Season 4 trailer has arrived, teasing the return of not only Reese Witherspoon’s Bradley Jackson but also one of Season 3’s main antagonists Paul Marks (Jon Hamm).
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Arguably none of the major antagonists proved as impactful to the series as Jon Lithgow's Trinity Killer.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
But that alliance puts our heroes in the sights of antagonists such as Colonel Bradbury (Giancarlo Esposito), a machine-hating military man who does his drone dirty work from his cush home library.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
And aren’t Putin and Russia our antagonists and enemies?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Withholding the bust from his antagonists seemed to give him joy.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Directed by Tate Taylor, best known for The Help and Get on Up, this criminally under-appreciated film allows Spencer’s friendly caretaker and terrifying predator to become one of the most memorable horror antagonists in recent years.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonists
Noun
-
Dealing with internal conflicts of identity while being threatened by external enemies is not unique to Israel.—
Ron Scherf,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In the scope of housework, hard water stains are high on the list of public enemies in my home.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The 38-year-old Uruguayan icon, one of the greatest strikers in history with more than 500 goals for club and country, has been banned on three occasions for biting opponents during matches.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Democratic candidates on Charlotte public safety Some of Lyles’ opponents in this year’s Democratic mayor primary are questioning whether the four-term mayor has done enough to address crime.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Blue Jays sit fewer than three games ahead of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox after building a sizable advantage over their divisional foes, with the bullpen suddenly crumbling.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Along the way, the cat joins forces with former foes of various species aboard a boat in search of dry land and a new beginning.—
Charlotte Walsh,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rate-cut expectations and worries over the Fed’s independence have weighed on the US dollar, which is languishing near a more than one-month low against its rivals, making gold less expensive for overseas buyers.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The price drop may induce its rivals, who have run into some of the same pricing issues, to follow.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This season, Wednesday must navigate family, friends and old adversaries, propelling her into another year of delightfully dark and kooky mayhem.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Before Israel began a counterattack against Hezbollah in September 2024, this strategy was reckoned brilliant by Iran’s supporters and adversaries alike.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonists. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share