1
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
please name the novel's hero and his antagonist
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of antagonist
Parker seems poised to be the primary antagonist — until Sacha Baron Cohen steps in at the 11th hour.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 25 June 2025
Trump proclaimed on Truth Social to the two antagonists, just a day after having publicly considered pursuing regime change in Tehran.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
Peter Dinklage stars as the titular Toxic Avenger, with Jacob Tremblay as his son, and Kevin Bacon as the chief antagonist, Bob Garbinger.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Cargill will play Meeka, a key lieutenant in the Apollo Kids and one of the film’s central antagonists.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Alison Herman, Variety, 25 June 2025
Trump proclaimed on Truth Social to the two antagonists, just a day after having publicly considered pursuing regime change in Tehran.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
Peter Dinklage stars as the titular Toxic Avenger, with Jacob Tremblay as his son, and Kevin Bacon as the chief antagonist, Bob Garbinger.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Cargill will play Meeka, a key lieutenant in the Apollo Kids and one of the film’s central antagonists.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonist
Noun
-
Trump appointed Bondi as attorney general after numerous reports suggested the president wanted a loyalist who would do his bidding and seek retribution against his enemies, after Trump faced pushback in his first term from previous attorneys general like William Barr.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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Still, fun enemy designs – such as one pictured above based on the Hydnellum peckii (bleeding tooth fungus) – already started to come together.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
This machinery radicalizes communities, recruits operatives, launders funds, and targets opponents abroad.—
Roya Boroumand,
Time,
9 July 2025
-
The date, time and opponent for game 5 will be decided based on results of the first four games.—
Gary Bedore
July 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
Noun
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At the same time, Trump touts his Golden Dome missile shield, meant to protect the homeland and give America greater freedom of action against its foes.—
Hal Brands,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
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Instead, Netanyahu, who is seen as a masterful politician by friends and foes alike, is expected to thread the needle.—
Joseph Krauss,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The same could be said for other states threatened by nuclear-armed rivals.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Orgs must adopt the tools and tactics of their adversaries.—
Eyal Benishti,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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Others point out the irony that, as the government fixated on enforcing the veiling law and cracking down on political dissidents under the pretext of fighting foreign subversion, its actual adversaries were quietly infiltrating its most sensitive institutions.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonist. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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