Synonyms of antagonists

antagonists

noun

plural of antagonist

1

as in enemies

one that is hostile toward another

please name the novel's hero and his antagonist

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enemies
• opponents
• foes
• adversaries
• hostiles
• attackers
• rivals
• archenemies
• competitors
• combatants
• invaders
• assailants
• nemeses
• archfoes
• ill-wishers
• banes
• bêtes noires
• emulators

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• friends
• allies
• partners
• buddies
• pals
• amigos
• colleagues
• musketeers
• cronies
• chums
• fellows
• collaborators
• compadres
• comrades
• accomplices
• mates
• confederates
• abettors
• adherents
• followers
• disciples
• supporters
• sympathizers
• benefactors
• hearties
• hail-fellows
• hobnobbers
• friendlies
• backers
• exponents
• hail-fellows-well-met
• well-wishers

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

• opponents
• rivals
• foes
• adversaries
• competitors
• enemies
• contestants
• equals
• matches
• combatants
• nemeses
• archenemies
• attackers
• invaders
• assailants
• curses
• banes
• bêtes noires

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• allies
• partners
• supporters
• accomplices
• proponents
• advocates
• champions
• confederates
• sympathizers
• exponents

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of antagonists

Despite Nas emerging as one of the season’s primary antagonists, Kelly doesn’t necessarily view him as a straightforward villain. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Iran could also intensify its attacks on its direct antagonists. — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026

But of course where there’s one rat, there are usually more, and swarms of rats and an angry sea soon become the man’s antagonists. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Companion legislation would require school districts, public libraries, and other educational institutions statewide to stock opioid antagonists onsite. — Nathalia Fernandez, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Species once seen primarily as competitors or antagonists have turned out to be mutualists, with both parties benefiting. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Orexin antagonists were developed as a treatment for insomnia, differing from conventional sleeping pills that induce sedation. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026

GnRH antagonists block hormones in the pituitary gland to prevent the patient from ovulating early. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

This does not sound like power-mad self-aggrandizement, whatever Fauci’s Senate antagonists might say. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2026