Meaning & use
antagonist
A person who actively opposes or is hostile toward someone, especially the main character in a story.
See it in a sentence
The film's antagonist is a ruthless businessman determined to destroy the hero's family farm.
Every superhero needs a compelling antagonist to test their strength and values.
A note on using this word
In literature "antagonist" pairs with "protagonist"; outside fiction it simply means an opponent or foe.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. noun
A substance or muscle that acts against and blocks the action of another.
The drug works as an antagonist, blocking the receptor that triggers the allergic reaction.
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