agonistic
[ ag-uh-nis-tik ]
/ ˌæg əˈnɪs tɪk /
adjective
combative; striving to overcome in argument.
straining for effect: agonistic humor.
of or relating to ancient Greek athletic contests.
Ethology.
pertaining to the range of activities associated with aggressive encounters between members of the same species, including threat, attack, appeasement, or retreat.
Also
ag·o·nis·ti·cal.
OTHER WORDS FROM agonistic
ag·o·nis·ti·cal·ly, adverbWords nearby agonistic
agonal,
agone,
agonic,
agonic line,
agonist,
agonistic,
agonize,
agonized,
agonizing,
agony,
agony aunt
Example sentences from the Web for agonistic
These actions have been emancipated from incomplete take-offs and incorporated in ritualized courtship and agonistic behavior.
Natural History of the Bell Vireo, Vireo bellii Audubon |Jon C. BarlowMoreover, most of the burrows were only a few feet apart and no agonistic behavior was witnessed.
Summer Birds From the Yucatan Peninsula |Erwin E. KlaasAccording to Aristotle himself, therefore, the Dialectician is agonistic and eristic, just as much as the Sophist.
Aristotle |George Grote
British Dictionary definitions for agonistic
agonistic
/ (ˌæɡəˈnɪstɪk) /
adjective
striving for effect; strained
eager to win in discussion or argument; competitive
Word Origin for agonistic
C17: via Late Latin from Greek
agōnistikos, from
agōn contest