antagonist
6 antonyms for antagonist — opposites grouped by meaning.
Noun — The character in a story who stands in the way of the main character and drives the conflict.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The character in a story who stands in the way of the main character and drives the conflict.
“The antagonist is her own sister, which makes every scene harder.”
Opposites
2. noun
A person who actively opposes or fights against someone else.
“He relished his role as the government's chief antagonist.”
Opposites
3. noun technical
In medicine and biology, a substance that blocks the action of another, or a muscle that opposes the movement of another.
“The drug acts as an antagonist at the receptor, blocking the usual response.”
Opposites
Antonyms
How to use antagonist
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral; standard in literary criticism, and a precise technical term in pharmacology and anatomy.
Etymology
From Greek antagōnistēs 'opponent', from anti- 'against' and agōn 'contest'.
Full origin of antagonist →