# antagonism

/ænˈtæɡəˌnɪzəm/ (US) · /æntˈæɡənˌɪzəm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/antagonism
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a strong feeling of dislike or opposition toward someone or something. You use this when two people or groups are actively trying to fight against each other.

For teachers: a state of active opposition or hostility between two or more parties. Often describes a deep-seated or persistent conflict rather than a temporary disagreement.

## Examples

- There is a lot of antagonism between the two political groups.
- The new policy caused a lot of antagonism among the local farmers who felt their interests were ignored.
- The novel explores the antagonism between the industrialists and the labor unions, showing how their mutual distrust eventually led to a city-wide strike.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.