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
Over the years, audiences have developed a deep hunger for these underwater antagonists – hello, Shark Week!
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
The antagonists join forces in the sequel to combat the technological alien threat known as Brainiac (new cast member Lars Eidinger).
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
The antagonists join forces in the sequel to combat the technological alien threat known as Brainiac (new cast member Lars Eidinger).
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonists
Noun
-
Those who relish killing people not only create more enemies but forget that it has been promised that fire would lead to Armageddon.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
-
And their drone and missile strikes on their Muslim neighbors, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are only creating new enemies.—
Donald Heflin,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Lightning are 17-7-3 in games their opponents serve more penalty minutes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
If there's a better version of Madison Taylor, that would certainly be scary for any of the Wildcats opponents the rest of the way.—
Matt Zahn,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Boxing foes to friends For those in and out of the ring, boxing is about purpose, friendships, history, and, of course, winning.—
Crystal McQuay,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
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,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the past few years, Chinese automakers were already expanding EV development and production while growing exports faster than American or European rivals, offering cheaper models and gaining ground in regions like Southeast Asia.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
No word on what happens after ceasefire expires The face-to-face talks that ended early Sunday were the highest-level negotiations between the longtime rivals since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Players can focus on damaging adversaries with firearms or eliminating them with Diana’s hacks.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Other provisions in the bill include new due diligence standards to prevent any tech developed by the startups from falling into the hands of adversaries such as China.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Antagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonists. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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