Antagonism: meaning, definitions and examples

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antagonism

[ænˈtæɡ.ən.ɪ.zəm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in relationships

The active hostility or opposition between unfriendly or conflicting individuals or groups.

Synonyms

conflict, hostility, opposition.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
antagonism	Used to describe a situation where there is active opposition or strong feelings of dislike between people or groups. It can often be seen in personal relationships, politics, or social movements. There was clear antagonism between the two political candidates during the debate
hostility	Implies unfriendliness or opposition and often suggests a threatening or aggressive attitude. It can be used in both interpersonal and large-scale settings. The new policy was met with hostility from the employees
opposition	Indicates resistance or dissent, expressed in action or argument. It is often used in political contexts where one group or party opposes another. The proposed law faced strong opposition from the local community
conflict	Describes a serious disagreement or argument, often a prolonged one. It can be applied to personal, work-related, or international situations. The conflict between the two countries lasted for a decade

Examples of usage

The antagonism between the two political parties grew stronger as the election approached.
There was a clear sense of antagonism between the two coworkers, making their collaboration difficult.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in biology

The inhibition or interference of one substance or organism by another.

Synonyms

inhibition, interference.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
antagonism	This word is used to describe a strong feeling of opposition or hostility towards someone or something. There was a sense of antagonism between the two leaders The new policy faced significant antagonism from the public
inhibition	This word is used in situations where there is a conscious or unconscious restraint or suppression of behaviors, desires, or feelings. Her natural inhibition prevented her from speaking in public The medication helped reduce his social inhibitions
interference	Interference is best used to describe an act of intervening or getting involved, often in a way that hinders or obstructs a process or activity. The constant interference from parents made it difficult for the teacher to manage the class effectively His interference in their argument only made things worse

Word

Description / Examples

antagonism

This word is used to describe a strong feeling of opposition or hostility towards someone or something.

There was a sense of antagonism between the two leaders
The new policy faced significant antagonism from the public

inhibition

This word is used in situations where there is a conscious or unconscious restraint or suppression of behaviors, desires, or feelings.

Her natural inhibition prevented her from speaking in public
The medication helped reduce his social inhibitions

interference

Interference is best used to describe an act of intervening or getting involved, often in a way that hinders or obstructs a process or activity.

The constant interference from parents made it difficult for the teacher to manage the class effectively
His interference in their argument only made things worse

Examples of usage

The antagonism between the two species led to a decrease in biodiversity in the ecosystem.
The antibiotic showed antagonism towards the bacteria, inhibiting its growth.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Greek word 'antagonistēs', meaning 'opponent' or 'rival'.
The prefix 'anti-' means 'against', while 'agon' relates to 'struggle' or 'competition'.
This term evolved through Latin before entering the English language in the 17th century.

Psychology

In psychology, antagonism can be a personality trait characterized by hostility or oppositional behavior.
High levels of antagonism can lead to difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships.
Conflict resolution strategies often focus on reducing antagonistic feelings to promote better communication.

Literature

Many classic stories feature antagonism, where a hero faces a villain or opposing force, creating tension.
In Shakespeare's plays, antagonism often builds dramatic conflict, exemplifying the struggles between characters.
Modern literature frequently explores internal antagonism within characters, highlighting personal struggles.

Social Dynamics

Antagonism can arise in social groups, contributing to rivalry and competition.
Political debates often showcase antagonism where opposing viewpoints clash dramatically.
In team sports, the competitive nature can lead to antagonism between rival teams or players.

Pop Culture

In movies, antagonism is a common theme, creating memorable conflicts that drive plots forward.
Television shows frequently depict antagonistic relationships, such as rivalries in reality competition series.
Video games often feature antagonists that challenge players, providing motivation and conflict in gameplay.

Translations

Translations of the word "antagonism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antagonismo

🇮🇳 विरोध

🇩🇪 Antagonismus

🇮🇩 antagonisme

🇺🇦 антагонізм

🇵🇱 antagonizm

🇯🇵 敵対

🇫🇷 antagonisme

🇪🇸 antagonismo

🇹🇷 antagonizm

🇰🇷 적대감

🇸🇦 تضاد

🇨🇿 antagonismus

🇸🇰 antagonizmus

🇨🇳 对抗

🇸🇮 antagonizem

🇮🇸 andúð

🇰🇿 антагонизм

🇬🇪 ანტაგონიზმი

🇦🇿 antagonizm

🇲🇽 antagonismo

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,313, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11310 infamous
11311 schematic
11312 cyst
11313 antagonism
11314 cultivating
11315 unsettled
11316 clustering
...