agonistic

US: (ag′ə nis′tik)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ag•o•nis•tic  (ag′ə nis′tik), adj. 

1. combative;
   striving to overcome in argument.
2. straining for effect:
   agonistic humor.
3. Ancient History of or pertaining to ancient Greek athletic contests.
4. Animal Behavior [Ethology.] pertaining to the range of activities associated with aggressive encounters between members of the same species, including threat, attack, appeasement, or retreat.

Also, ag′o•nis′ti•cal. 

• Greek agōnistikós, equivalent. to agōnist(é̄s) agonist + -ikos -ic
• 1640–50

ag′o•nis′ti•cal•ly, adv.