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
Arguably none of the major antagonists proved as impactful to the series as Jon Lithgow's Trinity Killer.
—
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
But that alliance puts our heroes in the sights of antagonists such as Colonel Bradbury (Giancarlo Esposito), a machine-hating military man who does his drone dirty work from his cush home library.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
And aren’t Putin and Russia our antagonists and enemies?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Withholding the bust from his antagonists seemed to give him joy.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Directed by Tate Taylor, best known for The Help and Get on Up, this criminally under-appreciated film allows Spencer’s friendly caretaker and terrifying predator to become one of the most memorable horror antagonists in recent years.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Opioid antagonists like naloxone, which counteract the effects of an opioid overdose, are another example of harm reduction.
—Ismael M. Belkoura, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Training library staff on how to administer opioid antagonists would be overseen by organizations selected by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
—Ismael M. Belkoura, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
In some scenes, the antagonists appear more like cult worshippers than buddies from the local break.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 4 Mar. 2025
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
But that alliance puts our heroes in the sights of antagonists such as Colonel Bradbury (Giancarlo Esposito), a machine-hating military man who does his drone dirty work from his cush home library.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
And aren’t Putin and Russia our antagonists and enemies?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Withholding the bust from his antagonists seemed to give him joy.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Directed by Tate Taylor, best known for The Help and Get on Up, this criminally under-appreciated film allows Spencer’s friendly caretaker and terrifying predator to become one of the most memorable horror antagonists in recent years.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Opioid antagonists like naloxone, which counteract the effects of an opioid overdose, are another example of harm reduction.
—Ismael M. Belkoura, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Training library staff on how to administer opioid antagonists would be overseen by organizations selected by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
—Ismael M. Belkoura, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
In some scenes, the antagonists appear more like cult worshippers than buddies from the local break.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 4 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonists
Noun
-
The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 has mainly been invoked during wartime in order for the federal government to control immigration of the United States’s enemies.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Newsom seems to believe that regular Americans have grown tired of polarization and want to see ideological enemies find common ground.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Only seven of the final 20 games are against opponents in a playoff position and two of those are against the Kings, whom the Blues beat 4-1 last week.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
The Athletic,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Rarely do Presidents mention their political opponents by name during joint sessions of Congress.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
If that's not enough, then there are even new weapons — the Master Sword, Arwing Guns, and a Chain Chomp that homes in on foes once launched.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
-
The two longtime Pac-12 foes spent their first Big Ten season fighting for pride and position — and, yes, a whole lot more.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This is where subsidy cooperation with allies and partners can help to diversify risk, share costs, and create collective protections against common adversaries.—
Chad P. Bown,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Mar. 2025
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Other adversaries have produced large numbers of cheap drones and missiles that allow for low-cost airstrikes.—
Stacie L. Pettyjohn,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonists. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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