Antagonistic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /(ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik/ an·tag·o·nis·tic

Meaning & Definition of Antagonistic

Antagonistic (adjective)

  1. showing dislike or opposition, marked by or resulting from antagonism

Antagonistic (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. marked by opposition or ill will

    "countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries"

    similar: adversarial, adversary, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, jaundiced, mortal, negative, unfriendly, unsympathetic
    related: adverse, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, clashing, combative, conflicting, contentious, contrary, disputatious, militant, opposed, pugnacious, quarrelsome, resisting, scrappy, truculent, antisocial, cold, cool, disagreeable, disapproving, distant, frigid, icy, biased, prejudiced, discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, surly, uncivil, unfavorable, unkind, unmannerly, unpleasant, unsociable, acrimonious, bitter, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, opprobrious, rancorous, spiteful, unloving, vindictive, virulent
    opposite: friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic
    near: affable, amiable, amicable, civil, companionable, comradely, convivial, cordial, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, gregarious, neighborly, pleasant, sociable, social, warm, affectionate, devoted, kind, kindly, loving, nice, sweet, accepting, agreeable, approving, benign, empathetic, favorable, understanding, warmhearted, welcoming

Related Entry: Antagonist (noun)

Antagonist is a different word from Antagonistic. The synonyms below are for antagonist, not for antagonistic.

  1. one that is hostile toward another

    "please name the novel's hero and his antagonist"

    similar: adversary, enemy, foe, hostile, opponent
    related: archenemy, archfoe, nemesis, ill-wisher, bane, bête noire, assailant, attacker, combatant, invader, competitor, emulator, rival
    opposite: amigo, friend
    near: buddy, chum, compadre, crony, fellow, hail-fellow, hail-fellow-well-met, hearty, hobnobber, mate, musketeer, pal, abettor, accomplice, ally, collaborator, colleague, comrade, confederate, friendly, partner, adherent, disciple, follower, backer, benefactor, exponent, supporter, sympathizer, well-wisher

  2. one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict

    "his antagonist in the boxing match"

    similar: adversary, foe, opponent, rival
    related: equal, match, enemy, archenemy, nemesis, competitor, contestant, bane, bête noire, curse, assailant, attacker, combatant, invader
    near: accomplice, ally, confederate, partner, advocate, champion, exponent, proponent, supporter, sympathizer

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Antagonistic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Antagonistic:

adversarial, adversary, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, jaundiced, mortal, negative, unfriendly, unsympathetic

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Antagonistic

Words with the opposite meaning of Antagonistic:

friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic

Related Words for Antagonistic

adverse, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, clashing, combative, conflicting, contentious, contrary, disputatious, militant, opposed, pugnacious, quarrelsome, resisting, scrappy, truculent, antisocial, cold, cool, disagreeable, disapproving, distant, frigid, icy, biased, prejudiced, discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered

Near Antonyms of Antagonistic

affable, amiable, amicable, civil, companionable, comradely, convivial, cordial, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, gregarious, neighborly, pleasant, sociable, social, warm, affectionate, devoted, kind, kindly, loving, nice, sweet, accepting, agreeable, approving, benign, empathetic

Word Forms of Antagonistic

Derived words: antagonistically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Antagonistic

First known use: circa 1637

Frequently Asked Questions about Antagonistic

What does "Antagonistic" mean?

"Antagonistic" means showing dislike or opposition, marked by or resulting from antagonism. As an adjective, it is defined as: showing dislike or opposition, marked by or resulting from antagonism.

What is another word for "Antagonistic"?

Other words for "Antagonistic" include adversarial, adversary, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, jaundiced and mortal. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Antagonistic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Antagonistic"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Antagonistic". Common alternatives include adversarial, adversary, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, jaundiced, mortal, negative and unfriendly.

What is the opposite of "Antagonistic"?

Antonyms of "Antagonistic" include friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile and sympathetic. Near antonyms include affable, amiable, amicable and civil.

How do you use "Antagonistic" in a sentence?

Examples of "Antagonistic" in a sentence: "countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries".

Is "Antagonistic" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Antagonistic" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Antagonistic"?

"Antagonistic" is pronounced /(ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik/ and divided into syllables as an·tag·o·nis·tic.

What is the origin of the word "Antagonistic"?

First known use: circa 1637.