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

Broadly speaking, these kinds of stories — powered by a stop-them-before-they-kill-again clock, making their antagonists out to be finicky geniuses or horror movie monsters instead of opportunistic mediocrities — strike me as a low form of fiction. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026

The story begins after her death, with Faye waking in the Everywhen to find her protective plans for Kratos and Atreus unraveling, facing antagonists like Sekhmet. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

What to read next And this is where relativity becomes one of the harshest antagonists in movie history. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 19 July 2026

What happens next depends on the antagonists vying over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026

The games are known for the exhilaration of the first-person shootouts, organic open-world playgrounds, unique stories, and memorable antagonists. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Since Beckham uploaded a photo of the two former antagonists on his Instagram feed on Monday, the post has garnered nearly 220,000 likes. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 July 2026

The semiquincentennial of our country is the perfect time for liberals to reclaim natural law and not cede it to their antagonists. — Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 2 July 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