Showing hostility or active opposition toward someone or something; acting against in a confrontational way.
From Greek 'antagonistes' (opponent), derived from 'anti' (against) and 'agonistes' (fighter/contestant). The word entered English in the 17th century to describe opposing forces or rival contestants.
Interestingly, the root 'agon' (struggle) also gave us 'agony' and 'protagonist'—all Greek words for competition and conflict that shaped how we talk about struggle in storytelling and real life.
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