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
Today Washington and Havana are still antagonists, but the ideologies on each side have faded over the years.
—
Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
The compound was first synthesized in the early 1960s by researchers working with Endo Laboratories in Long Island, New York, who were investigating new derivatives related to earlier opioid antagonists.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Mar. 2026
More than ever, the lead antagonists’ handful of confrontations are high points.
—Bob Strauss, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
More than ever, the lead antagonists’ handful of confrontations are high points.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
Time had passed since that Wolves result, but Arsenal were still the Premier League’s main antagonists.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Both Talarico and Crockett are very progressive, and Talarico has run a campaign with a left-wing populist platform that puts billionaires at the center as antagonists.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026
In addition to the storm of clashing superheroes and their evil intergalactic foes, this upcoming outing will introduce a trio of new antagonists called Thragg, Dinosaurus, and Universa.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2026
It is asked not only by her antagonists but by women who project onto her their own sense of the records kept by their bodies.
—Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
The compound was first synthesized in the early 1960s by researchers working with Endo Laboratories in Long Island, New York, who were investigating new derivatives related to earlier opioid antagonists.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Mar. 2026
More than ever, the lead antagonists’ handful of confrontations are high points.
—Bob Strauss, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
More than ever, the lead antagonists’ handful of confrontations are high points.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
Time had passed since that Wolves result, but Arsenal were still the Premier League’s main antagonists.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Both Talarico and Crockett are very progressive, and Talarico has run a campaign with a left-wing populist platform that puts billionaires at the center as antagonists.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026
In addition to the storm of clashing superheroes and their evil intergalactic foes, this upcoming outing will introduce a trio of new antagonists called Thragg, Dinosaurus, and Universa.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2026
It is asked not only by her antagonists but by women who project onto her their own sense of the records kept by their bodies.
—Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonists
Noun
-
These flowers support insects with small mouthparts, including parasitoid wasps, small native bees, lacewings, and syrphid flies – all excellent natural enemies of cucumber pests and a few that also provide pollination.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
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Bondi's replacement will have to answer for much bigger changes at the traditionally apolitical Justice Department, which for the first time in recent history has actively pursued investigations into the president's political enemies under Bondi's leadership.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Players schlep downstairs, wearing slippers or sandals, and walk through the game plan and what to expect from their opponents.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
His opponents have strong cases, too.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the horror sequel, Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail return to face new foes as well the old murderous animatronic animals of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The second and final meeting of the regular season between the cross-conference foes at American Airlines Center went a bit differently Friday night.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But much like its rivals, the real season never built up a snow base to push skiing to its normal quality and season.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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This claim and others have been amplified by rivals.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Those developments may have created blind spots for Western adversaries.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In the post–Cold War period, some in the United States believed that Russia was prepared to deliberately escalate any conflict—including through the use of nuclear weapons—to force its adversaries to back down.—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Antagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonists. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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