ENGLISH
REFERENCE

antagonist

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ænˈtæɡənəst// UK //æntˈæɡənˌɪst// an·tag·o·nist

n. the main character who opposes the hero in a story, film, or play. You use this word to describe the person creating conflict for the main character.

n. the character or force that opposes the protagonist in a narrative work. In literature and drama, it represents the primary source of conflict.


SIMPLE

The antagonist tries to stop the hero from winning.

CONTEXTUAL

In the novel, the antagonist is a corrupt politician who blocks the hero's plans.

COMPLEX

The antagonist's complex motivations transformed him from a simple villain into a tragic figure driven by personal loss.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Latin antagonista, from Ancient Greek ἀνταγωνιστής (antagōnistḗs, “opponent”) (ἀντί (antí, “against”) + ἀγωνιστής (agōnistḗs, “a combatant, pleader, actor”)), from ἀνταγωνίζομαι (antagōnízomai, “to antagonize”).

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