noun

antagonist

/æn næɡəu nɪst/ · say it: an·TAG·uh·nist

the character who opposes the hero

In Literary English

In more detail

1. (noun) a person or character who opposes the main character in a story

2. (noun) a muscle or group of muscles that works against another muscle

3. (noun) a substance that blocks or reduces the effect of another substance in the body

Examples

1. In the novel, the villain is the main antagonist who fights against the hero.
2. The biceps and triceps are antagonist muscles in the arm.
3. The drug acts as an antagonist to reduce the effects of stress hormones.

How to use antagonist

In narrative contexts, antagonist refers to the character or force that opposes the protagonist, not necessarily evil but in opposition. In physiology and pharmacology, it denotes opposition at a functional or chemical level. The term is neutral and technical, avoiding the morality implied by 'villain' or 'enemy'.

Common phrases

main antagonist
the antagonist opposes
in conflict with the antagonist
muscle antagonist
drug antagonist

Synonyms

opponent · adversary · rival · enemy · villain

Opposites

protagonist · ally · partner

Word family

antagonistic (adjective) · antagonism (noun) · antagonize (verb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse antagonist with protagonist; antagonist is the opposing force, while protagonist is the main character.

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