an·tag·o·nist ( n-tg  -n st)n. 1. One who opposes and contends against another; an adversary. 2. The principal character in opposition to the protagonist or hero of a narrative or drama. 3. Physiology A muscle that counteracts the action of another muscle, the agonist. 4. Biochemistry A chemical substance that interferes with the physiological action of another, especially by combining with and blocking its nerve receptor. an·tag  o·nistic adj.an·tag o·nisti·cal·ly adv. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. |  antagonistic - indicating opposition or resistancenegative - characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features; "a negative outlook on life"; "a colorless negative personality"; "a negative evaluation"; "a negative reaction to an advertising campaign" |
| 2. |  antagonistic - characterized by antagonism or antipathy; "slaves antagonistic to their masters"; "antipathetic factions within the party"hostile - characterized by enmity or ill will; "a hostile nation"; "a hostile remark"; "hostile actions" | |
| 3. | antagonistic - arousing animosity or hostility; "his antagonistic brusqueness"; "Europe was antagonistic to the Unites States" conciliative, conciliatory - intended to placate; "spoke in a conciliating tone"; "a conciliatory visit" | |
| 4. |  antagonistic - used especially of drugs or muscles that counteract or neutralize each other's effectinteractive, synergistic - used especially of drugs or muscles that work together so the total effect is greater than the sum of the two (or more) | |
| 5. | antagonistic - incapable of harmonious association incompatible - not compatible; "incompatible personalities"; "incompatible colors" |
antagonistic
adjective hostile, opposed, resistant, at odds, incompatible, set against, averse, unfriendly, at variance, inimical, antipathetic, ill-disposed
USAGE A useful synonym for antagonistic, for example in public opinion is antagonistic to nuclear energy, is averse. However, this alternative should be used with care as a very common error is to confuse it with adverse. Averse is usually followed by to and is meant to convey a strong dislike or hostility towards something, normally expressed by a person or people. Adverse is wrong in this context and should be used in relation to conditions or results: adverse road conditions.
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