1
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
please name the novel's hero and his antagonist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of antagonist
President-elect Donald Trump‘s chief antagonist, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), won the seat in the general election.
—
Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Jan. 2025
However, Foley is already part of the Scream universe having portrayed antagonist Roman Bridger, the film director and half-brother of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) who was revealed to be the Ghostface Killer of Scream 3.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
Our hero’s arc is almost completely usurped by the antagonist’s journey.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
During Trump’s first term, Lammy—along with his friend Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London—became one of Britain’s most prominent, and quotable, antagonists of the President.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for antagonist 
Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Jan. 2025
However, Foley is already part of the Scream universe having portrayed antagonist Roman Bridger, the film director and half-brother of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) who was revealed to be the Ghostface Killer of Scream 3.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
Our hero’s arc is almost completely usurped by the antagonist’s journey.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
During Trump’s first term, Lammy—along with his friend Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London—became one of Britain’s most prominent, and quotable, antagonists of the President.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
Noun
-
Do Trump and Vance and their administration regard Ukraine as an ally and Putin’s Russia as an enemy?—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
18 Feb. 2025
-
At the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), dictator Francisco Franco declared victory and punished everyone who had opposed him: imprisonment or execution for those at the top of his enemies list and a purge in employment possibilities for others.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The team initially was meant to legitimately compete against the Globetrotters but eventually became the ultimate crash test dummy for its opponents donning red, white and blue on the hardwood.—
Jason Jones,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
-
In any case, Spanberger could be a formidable opponent.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Thus the ending of the old monarch was properly marked by friends and foes alike.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The senior battled in the post, fronting and denying his much taller foe both good position and the ball in the fourth quarter of a pivotal Oakland Athletic League game.—
Christian Babcock,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Their most recent appearance was at the 2023 Super Bowl against tonight's rival, the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Lucia Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Her 20 goals last season single-handedly accounted for nearly six percent of the league’s total offense — nine more than her closest rivals, her teammate Nurse and rookie of the year Grace Zumwinkle of the Frost.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s approach to Greenland illustrates a key principle of effective statecraft: leveraging rhetoric to influence allies and adversaries alike.—
Ryan P. Burke,
Orlando Sentinel,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The new president and the new Captain America are both allies and adversaries, a dynamic that gets complicated amid what amounts to a Marvel-scale conspiracy thriller.—
Will Harris,
EW.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near antagonist
Cite this Entry
“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share