antagonist
[ an-tag-uh-nist ]
/ ænˈtæg ə nɪst /
noun
a person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary.
the adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work: Iago is the antagonist of Othello.
Dentistry.
a tooth in one jaw that articulates during mastication or occlusion with a tooth in the opposing jaw.
Origin of antagonist
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin
antagōnista, from Greek
antagōnistḗs. See
antagonize,
-ist
synonym study for antagonist
1. See
adversary.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH antagonist
antagonist protagonistWords nearby antagonist
anta,
antabuse,
antacid,
antaeus,
antagonism,
antagonist,
antagonistic,
antagonistic muscles,
antagonize,
antagonizer,
antakiya
Example sentences from the Web for antagonist
British Dictionary definitions for antagonist
antagonist
/ (ænˈtæɡənɪst) /
noun
an opponent or adversary, as in a contest, drama, sporting event, etc
any muscle that opposes the action of another
Compare agonist (def. 1)
a drug that counteracts the effects of another drug
Compare synergist (def. 1)
Medical definitions for antagonist
antagonist
[ ăn-tăg′ə-nĭst ]
n.
Something, such as a muscle, disease, or physiological process, that neutralizes or impedes the action or effect of another.
Scientific definitions for antagonist
antagonist
[ ăn-tăg′ə-nĭst ]
A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle, as by relaxing while the other one contracts, thereby producing smooth, coordinated movement.
A chemical substance, such as a drug, that interferes with the physiological action of another substance, especially by combining with and blocking its nerve receptor. Compare agonist.