antagonist
5 antonyms and opposites of antagonist, 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 →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a protagonist and an antagonist?
The protagonist is the character whose goal drives the story and whose choices we follow. The antagonist is the force that opposes that goal. The protagonist is not always likeable, and the antagonist is not always a person: it can be an institution, a storm or the character's own nature.
What is the difference between an antagonist and a villain?
A villain is defined by being morally bad, while an antagonist is defined only by opposing the protagonist. A loving parent blocking a reckless plan is an antagonist without being a villain, and a villain who never obstructs the hero is not the story's antagonist.
Can a story have more than one antagonist?
Yes. Long novels and series often set several opposing forces against the protagonist, and a story can pair a personal antagonist with a larger impersonal one such as poverty or war.