antagonism meaning

UK US /ænˈtæɡənɪzəm/ 5 syllables

antagonism (noun): a state of deep-seated ill-will.

antagonism has 4 meanings in this dictionary.

antagonism as a noun

  1. a state of deep-seated ill-will

    Synonyms: hostility, enmity

    Type of: state

    Kinds: latent hostility, war, cold war, Cold War, suspicion

    Related forms: antagonistic, antagonist, antagonize, antagonise

  2. the relation between opposing principles or forces or factors
    • the inherent antagonism of capitalism and socialism

    Type of: opposition

    Related forms: antagonistic, antagonist, antagonise

  3. an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility

    Type of: hostility, dislike

    Related forms: antagonistic, antagonist, antagonize, antagonise

  4. (biochemistry) interference in or inhibition of the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure

    Type of: hindrance

    Related forms: antagonistic, antagonist

How to pronounce antagonism

antagonism is pronounced /ænˈtæɡənɪzəm/ in American English. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

Scrabble score: 13 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with AN · words ending in SM · 10-letter words

More about antagonism on Wikipedia.