antagonist

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun someone who offers opposition
  2. noun a muscle that relaxes while another contracts
  3. noun a drug that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of another drug

Etymology

From Latin antagonista, from Ancient Greek ἀνταγωνιστής (antagōnistḗs, “opponent”) (ἀντί (antí, “against”) + ἀγωνιστής (agōnistḗs, “a combatant, pleader, actor”)), from ἀνταγωνίζομαι (antagōnízomai, “to antagonize”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

adversary, opponent, opposer, resister

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