antagonism

noun

an·​tag·​o·​nism an-ˈta-gə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce antagonism (audio)
1
a
: opposition of a conflicting force, tendency, or principle
the antagonism of democracy to dictatorship
b
: actively expressed opposition or hostility
antagonism between factions
personal antagonism
2
: opposition in physiological action
especially : interaction of two or more substances such that the action of any one of them on living cells or tissues is lessened
Choose the Right Synonym for antagonism

enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will.

enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed.

an unspoken enmity

hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression.

hostility between the two nations

antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility.

a natural antipathy for self-seekers
antagonism between the brothers

animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility.

animosity that led to revenge

rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong.

rancor filled every line of his letters

animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.

objections devoid of personal animus

Examples of antagonism in a Sentence

The region has a long history of ethnic antagonisms. the antagonism between them was so bad they couldn't even sit near each other
Recent Examples on the Web This is why some knotty bilateral issues such as the topic of World War II reparations will continue to play a role in Polish-German relations–although the emphasis is now on building a well-balanced alliance, and not antagonism, with Germany. Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 President Joe Biden retained those tariffs after taking office in 2021, making clear that antagonism toward China would be a rare area of common ground for Democrats and Republicans. Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024 Britain and Libya broke off diplomatic relations, and a deep antagonism persisted until the end of the century. James Wood, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024 In these interviews, her audience got their first glimpse of Althoff’s schtick: a deadpan, absurdist antagonism, part Zack Galifianakis in Between Two Ferns, part cringe Gen-Z interrogation. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2024 Earlier in the film, Adra recounts how his mother devised a plan to circumvent the Israeli Defense Forces’ antagonism. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2024 Yet the two friends’ disagreements rarely spill out in orderly dogmatic debates, but rather in the provocative ribbing and friendly antagonism of men who focus more on their similarities than their differences. Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024 And this search for the enemy has clearly introduced an air of hostility and antagonism into the most recent debate over DEI’s past and future. Susan Harmeling, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 There are other forms of antagonism, too, deeply embedded in the infrastructure of everyday life. Clare Egan, Longreads, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antagonism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see antagonize

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of antagonism was in 1716

Dictionary Entries Near antagonism

Cite this Entry

“Antagonism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonism. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

antagonism

noun
an·​tag·​o·​nism an-ˈtag-ə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce antagonism (audio)
: a state of being opposed to something or unfriendly toward someone

Medical Definition

antagonism

noun
an·​tag·​o·​nism an-ˈtag-ə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce antagonism (audio)
: opposition in physiological action:
a
: opposing action in the effect of contraction of muscles (as the extensors and flexors of a part)
b
: interaction of two or more substances such that the action of any one of them on living cells or tissues is lessened (as by interference with the uptake or by an opposing physiological reaction) compare synergism

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