Antagonist Meaning
/ænˈtæɡənɪst/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAn opponent or enemy.
nounOne who antagonizes or stirs.
Sentence Examples
Caffeine is a purinergic antagonist that competitively inhibits adenosine at the sites of P1 receptors.
The antagonist of the book was introduced on the second page.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Every good story needs a compelling ____ to create conflict for the main character.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The main ____ in the story was a powerful and evil wizard from afar.
Word Origin & History
From Latin antagonista, from Ancient Greek ἀνταγωνιστής (antagōnistḗs, “opponent”) (ἀντί (antí, “against”) + ἀγωνιστής (agōnistḗs, “a combatant, pleader, actor”)), from ἀνταγωνίζομαι (antagōnízomai, “to antagonize”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"our antagonists in these controversies"
— [1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page):
"Antagonist of Heav’ns Almightie King"
— 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"[H]is eyes vacant—his face haggard—his head drooping, the spectacle of such an antagonist to the vigorous Edward, moved only pity in the few, and ridicule in the many."
— 1843, Edward Bulwer[-]Lytton, “A King in His City Hopes to Recover His Realm—A Woman in Her Chamber Fears to Forfeit Her Own”, in The Last of the Barons, London; New York, N.Y.: George Routledge and Sons […], →OCLC, book XII (The Battle of Barnet), page 433, column 2:
"So God forbid I'm seen just as an average human being / I mean, imagine if antagonists lacked any evil scheme"
— 2022, Will Wood (musician), “The Main Character”, in In case I make it,, performed by Will Wood:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Every good story needs a compelling ____ to create conflict for the main character.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The main ____ in the story was a powerful and evil wizard from afar.