Definition of ANTAGONIST

antagonist

Meanings

Plural: antagonists

Noun

  • someone who offers opposition
  • a muscle that relaxes while another contracts
    • "when bending the elbow the triceps are the antagonist"
  • a drug that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of another drug
  • An opponent or enemy.
  • One who antagonizes or stirs.
  • A chemical that binds to a receptor but does not produce a physiological response, blocking the action of other agonist chemicals, such as endogenous chemical messengers.
  • The main character or force opposing the protagonist in a literary work or drama.
  • A muscle that acts in opposition to another.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin antagonista, from Ancient Greek ἀνταγωνιστής (antagōnistḗs, “opponent”) (ἀντί (antí, “against”) + ἀγωνιστής (agōnistḗs, “a combatant, pleader, actor”)), from ἀνταγωνίζομαι (antagōnízomai, “to antagonize”).

Scrabble Score: 11

antagonist is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
antagonist is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
antagonist is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

antagonist is a valid Words With Friends word