antagonist

Everyday

1. The main enemy or opponent of the hero in a story, play or film (opposite: protagonist). tree →
2. A person who strongly opposes someone. tree →
3. (science) A muscle or chemical that works against another. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, you name the protagonist (hero) and the antagonist (villain or opponent). In biology, muscles work in antagonistic pairs (biceps and triceps).

Examples

• The wolf is the antagonist in Little Red Riding Hood. tree →
• Every good story needs an antagonist. tree →
• The two scientists were bitter antagonists. tree →
• The triceps is the antagonist of the biceps. tree →
• The antagonist tries to stop the hero. tree →
• Name the antagonist in the novel. tree →
• At the near approach of his redoubtable antagonist he turned and fled for his life. tree →

Note

Adjective: antagonistic; verb: antagonise (UK) / antagonize (US). The antagonist need not be evil — it just works against the hero.