1
as in enemy
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 opponent
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict
his antagonist in the boxing match
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of antagonist
Donning the tights is up-and-comer David Corenswet, graduating from supporting roles in Pearl (2022) and Twisters (2024), with Rachel Brosnahan as his love interest and media antagonist Lois Lane.
—
Will Harris, EW.com, 11 July 2025
Medications may include antidepressants, commonly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and the opioid antagonist naltrexone.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 9 July 2025
Nicholas Hoult does his level best with the billionaire corporate supervillain, Lex Luthor, but the antagonist in this film plays more like an angry frat boy than a scheming mastermind.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Even longtime Diddy antagonist 50 Cent seemed to acknowledge his partial victory.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Will Harris, EW.com, 11 July 2025
Medications may include antidepressants, commonly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and the opioid antagonist naltrexone.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 9 July 2025
Nicholas Hoult does his level best with the billionaire corporate supervillain, Lex Luthor, but the antagonist in this film plays more like an angry frat boy than a scheming mastermind.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Even longtime Diddy antagonist 50 Cent seemed to acknowledge his partial victory.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
Noun
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They are professedly based on hunches that the enemy will attack, occupy or conquer at some future time unless the enemy is obliterated.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
24 July 2025
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Iris and Isaac’s idyll is interrupted by the enemy of all great budding romances: the truth.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
23 July 2025
Noun
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His ability to box out an opponent for a rebound is something he’s carried to the football field with jump balls.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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The Riverside sheriff had two months’ head start against his GOP opponent, former Fox News host Steve Hilton, who entered the race in April and raised more than $1.5 million.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The club’s 48 points are the most league-wide, but fellow Eastern Conference foes Nashville SC and Philadelphia Union aren’t far behind.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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President Donald Trump is once again aiming at his usual late-night foes.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Noun
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In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
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The same could be said for other states threatened by nuclear-armed rivals.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Noun
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SSBNs are strong nuclear deterrents as they are expected to survive an adversary’s first strike.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
2 Aug. 2025
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Palantir co-founder and CEO Alex Karp has been a vocal proponent of protecting U.S. interests and joining forces on AI to fend off adversaries.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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