agonist

noun

ag·​o·​nist ˈa-gə-nist How to pronounce agonist (audio)
1
: one that is engaged in a struggle
2
[from antagonist]
a
: a muscle that is controlled by the action of an antagonist with which it is paired
b
: a chemical substance capable of combining with a specific receptor on a cell and initiating the same reaction or activity typically produced by the binding endogenous substance
dopaminergic agonists
compare antagonist sense 2b

Examples of agonist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With the skyrocketing popularity of GLP-1 agonists—the class of drugs that treat obesity such as Wegovy and Zepbound—people are increasingly turning to pharmaceuticals to aid in weight loss, Burris says. Lindsey Leake, Fortune Well, 18 Mar. 2024 Due to its properties as a partial opioid agonist, buprenorphine is less likely to lead to overdose compared with full opioid agonists such as oxycodone. Joëlla W. Adams, STAT, 5 Jan. 2024 This is a form of medication known as a dual agonist, which works on two separate pathways. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 Sep. 2023 Both use the active ingredient semaglutide, part of a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Meg Tirrell, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Messages are mixed: data clearly shows that GLP-1 agonists are effective in helping people lose weight, and are touted to end the global obesity epidemic. Lipi Roy, Md, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Among the commercial and employer-based health insurance plans available through HAP and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, some cover GLP-1 agonist drugs for weight loss along while others completely exclude them. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024 Those drugs are part of a powerful new class of medications that has taken the world by storm, known as glucagon-like peptide 1 or GLP-1 receptor agonists. Bryan Mena, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 The preferred medication is a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) such as Ozempic (semaglutide) or a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonist and GLP-1 agonist such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'agonist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin agōnista, borrowed from Greek agōnistḗs, from agōnízesthai "to contend, fight" + -istēs -ist entry 1 — more at agonize

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of agonist was in 1658

Dictionary Entries Near agonist

Cite this Entry

“Agonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonist. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

agonist

noun
ag·​o·​nist ˈag-ə-nəst How to pronounce agonist (audio)
1
: a muscle that on contracting is automatically checked and controlled by the opposing simultaneous contraction of another muscle

called also agonist muscle, prime mover

compare antagonist sense a, synergist sense 2
2
: a chemical substance (as a drug) capable of combining with a receptor on a cell and initiating the same reaction or activity typically produced by the binding of an endogenous substance
binding of adrenergic agonists
compare antagonist sense b

More from Merriam-Webster on agonist

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