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
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Recent Examples of antagonists
On the Dungeon Master side, the book included new organizations, guilds and other element of city life that can be used as allies and antagonists.
—
Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
And yet, introducing new antagonists through a muddled mystery, the core Conjuring mythology nearly cracks beyond repair.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 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
Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
And yet, introducing new antagonists through a muddled mystery, the core Conjuring mythology nearly cracks beyond repair.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 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
-
Like its predecessor, Age of Imprisonment isn’t exactly a typical Zelda game, instead borrowing the design of musou series like Dynasty Warriors for hard-hitting combat against hordes of enemies.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
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Specifically, there are a ton of underbarrel attachments that are great, from hucking cleavers at enemies for one shot kills, shooting out gravity wells, laying down corrosive pools or an AOE energy blast around you.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Although Lerner later resigned, the controversy became a lasting symbol of what Republicans call the weaponization of government against ideological opponents.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
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Critics say that Trump is using Kirk's assassination as a pretext to crack down on political opponents.—
Trevor Hunnicutt,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The teams may again meet this weekend in a match-up that will again stoke the political machinations between the foes.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Master Chief, much like the Doom Slayer, dwarfed most of his foes and was nigh-on invulnerable.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With Bowers back in the lineup, the Raiders can take on their rivals with the same strong offense that showed up against the Patriots.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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United Airlines' expansion, however, is outpacing its large airline rivals, a plan CEO Scott Kirby told CNBC is paying off because of the company's product, network and technology, like onboard amenities such as Bluetooth connectivity, seat-back screens and its app.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Both Freedom Edge and Resolute Dragon have drawn criticism from adversaries.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
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Officials in Moscow have also warned that NATO's actions against such craft would constitute a dangerous escalation of the standoff between Moscow and its Western adversaries.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonists. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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