antagonist
nounmasculine/feminine/ɐ̃tɐɣuˈniʃtɐ/high
an·ta·go·nis·ta
Definitions
1A person or force that opposes another; adversary, opponent.
The villain is the main antagonist of the hero in the story.
In the negotiation, he met an inflexible antagonist.
Common collocations
main antagonistrole of antagonistantagonistic force
2In pharmacology, a substance that blocks or reduces the action of another.
This drug is an antagonist of histamine receptors.
Dopamine antagonists are used in certain psychiatric conditions.
Common collocations
receptor antagonistcompetitive antagonistpharmacological antagonist
Etymology
Do grego 'antagonistés', pelo latim 'antagonista'.