antagonism

UK: /ænˈtægənɪzəm/ US: /ænˈtægəˌnɪzəm/ ,(an tag′ə niz′əm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•tag•o•nism /ænˈtægəˌnɪzəm/   n. 

1. active hostility or opposition:
   [uncountable] The proposal provoked antagonism among committee members.
   [countable] Antagonisms rose sharply.

See -agon-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•tag•o•nism  (an tag′ə niz′əm), n. 

1. an active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or conflicting groups:
   the antagonism between the liberal and the conservative parties.
2. an opposing force, principle, or tendency:
   Her plan to become an actress met with the antagonism of her family.
3. Physiology an opposing action, as by one muscle in relation to another.
4. Biochemistry, Drugs the opposing action of substances, as drugs, that when taken together decrease the effectiveness of at least one of them (contrasted with synergism).
5. Ecology
   • a relationship between two species of organisms in which the individuals of each species adversely affect the other, as in competition.
   • the inhibition of the growth of one type of organism by a different type that is competing for the same ecological niche.

• Greek antagó̄nisma. See antagonize, -ism
• French antagonisme)
• (1835–40

Synonyms

• 1. conflict, friction, strife.
• 2. animosity.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

antagonism / ænˈtæɡəˌnɪzəm/ noun

1. openly expressed and usually mutual opposition
2. the inhibiting or nullifying action of one substance or organism on another