Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

antagonist

 - 5 dictionary results

an⋅tag⋅o⋅nist

  [an-tag-uh-nist]
Use antagonist in a Sentence
–noun
1. a person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary.
2. the adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work: Iago is the antagonist of Othello.
3. Physiology. a muscle that acts in opposition to another. Compare agonist (def. 3).
4. Dentistry. a tooth in one jaw that articulates during mastication or occlusion with a tooth in the opposing jaw.
5. Pharmacology. a drug that counteracts the effects of another drug.
Origin:
1590–1600; < LL antagōnista < Gk antagōnists. See antagonize, -ist

Synonyms:
1. contestant, enemy, foe. See adversary.

Antonyms:
1. ally, friend.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To antagonist
an·tag·o·nist   (ān-tāg'ə-nĭst)   
n.  

  1. One who opposes and contends against another; an adversary.

  2. The principal character in opposition to the protagonist or hero of a narrative or drama.

  3. Physiology A muscle that counteracts the action of another muscle, the agonist.

  4. Biochemistry A chemical substance that interferes with the physiological action of another, especially by combining with and blocking its nerve receptor.

an·tag'o·nis'tic adj., an·tag'o·nis'ti·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

antagonist 
1599, from L. antagonista, from Gk. antagonistes "competitor, opponent, rival," from antagonizesthai "to struggle against," from anti- "against" + agonizesthai "to contend for a prize" (see agony). Originally in battle or sport, extended 1626 to any sphere of human activity.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: an·tag·o·nist
Pronunciation: -n&st
Function: noun
: an agent that acts in physiological opposition antagonist in the opposing jaw>: as a : a muscle that contracts with and limits the action of an agonist with which it is paired called also antagonisticmuscle; —compare AGONIST 1, SYNERGIST 2 b : a chemical that acts within the body to reduce the physiological activity of another chemical substance (as an opiate); especially : one that opposes the action onthe nervous system of a drug or a substance occurring naturally in the body by combining with and blocking its nervous receptor —compare AGONIST 2
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

antagonist an·tag·o·nist (ān-tāg'ə-nĭst)
n.
Something, such as a muscle, disease, or physiological process, that neutralizes or impedes the action or effect of another.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see antagonist on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way