Antagonist
/ænˈtæɡənɪst/
Definitions
2 meaningsA person who opposes or is hostile to another; an adversary.
/ænˈtæɡənɪst/
A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.
The antagonist's plan was to sabotage the hero's mission.
💡 Simply: Someone who goes against the main character.
More Examples
He was the antagonist in the conflict, constantly challenging the leader.
How It's Used
"The antagonist in the novel was a cunning and ruthless villain."
"The play featured a compelling struggle between protagonist and antagonist."
A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle.
/ænˈtæɡənɪst/
A muscle that counteracts the action of another muscle.
When one muscle contracts, its antagonist relaxes.
💡 Simply: A muscle that works opposite another.
How It's Used
"The biceps and triceps are antagonist muscles."
From Late Latin *antagonista, from Greek ἀνταγωνιστής (antagōnistḗs), from ἀνταγωνίζεσθαι (antagōnízesthai) "to contend against," from ἀντί (antí) "against" + ἀγωνίζεσθαι (agōnízesthai) "to contend, compete."
The word's usage has remained consistent throughout history, referring primarily to opposition and conflict.
Memory tip
Think 'anti' (against) + 'agonist' (competitor).