antagonist
8 synonyms and 6 antonyms for antagonist, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The character in a story who stands in the way of the main character and drives the conflict.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
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
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 →