antagonist

/æn'tægənist/

Thân thiện

The doctor prescribed an antagonist to counteract the medication's side effects.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary: An "antagonist" is someone who competes with, opposes, or fights against another person, often the main character in a story.
   • A substance that interferes with or inhibits the physiological action of another: In biochemistry and pharmacology, an "antagonist" is a drug or other agent that blocks or dampens a biological response by binding to and blocking a receptor.
   • A muscle whose action counteracts that of another specified muscle: In anatomy, an "antagonist" is a muscle that opposes the action of the prime mover (agonist) muscle, allowing for controlled movement.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Person):
  • The hero finally confronted his antagonist in the final chapter.
  • In the debate, she was a formidable antagonist, challenging every point he made.
• Noun (Substance/Drug):
  • Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse overdoses.
  • This medication acts as a receptor antagonist.
• Noun (Muscle):
  • During a bicep curl, the triceps muscle acts as the antagonist.
  • For every agonist muscle, there is a corresponding antagonist.

Advanced Usage

• "To be pitted against an antagonist": To be in direct competition or conflict with an opponent.
  • The two candidates were pitted against each other as the main antagonists in the election.
• "Protagonist and antagonist": A common pairing in literature and drama referring to the main character and their primary opponent.
  • The relationship between the protagonist and the antagonist drives the plot of the novel.

Variants and Related Words

• Antagonistic (adj): Showing or feeling active opposition or hostility.
  • He was antagonistic towards the new policy.
• Antagonism (n): Active hostility or opposition.
  • There was clear antagonism between the two rival groups.
• Antagonize (v): To cause someone to become hostile.
  • His rude comments served only to antagonize the audience.

Synonyms

• Adversary: An opponent or enemy.
• Opponent: Someone who competes against or fights another in a contest, game, or argument.
• Rival: A person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority.
• Foe (literary): An enemy or opponent.

Antonyms

• Ally: A person or organization that cooperates with or helps another.
• Supporter: A person who approves of and encourages someone or something.
• Protagonist: The leading character or one of the major characters in a story.
• Agonist (in biochemistry/physiology): A substance that initiates a physiological response or a muscle that is the primary mover.

Related Phrases

• To meet one's antagonist: To encounter one's opponent, often in a decisive situation.
  • In the final scene, the detective meets his antagonist on the rooftop.
• A worthy antagonist: An opponent who is skilled and respected, making the conflict meaningful.
  • The chess champion finally found a worthy antagonist in the young prodigy.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a drug that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of another drug
2. a muscle that relaxes while another contracts
   • when bending the elbow the triceps are the antagonist
3. someone who offers opposition

Từ đồng nghĩa

• adversary
• opponent
• opposer
• resister