antagonist

• Nom désignant une personne qui s'oppose activement à quelqu'un ou à quelque chose ou qui lui est hostile ; utilisé aussi en anatomie pour une muscle qui contrecarre l'action d'un autre muscle, et en pharmacologie pour une substance qui neutralise l'effet d'un autre médicament.

A noun referring to a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; also used in anatomy for a muscle that opposes the action of another, and in pharmacology for a substance that counteracts the effects of another drug.

1. Opponent or adversaryB2formal

   A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.

   antagoniste (adversaire)

   • The hero finally defeated his antagonist in the final battle.
   • She was a formidable antagonist in the political debate.
   • The novel's antagonist is a cunning and manipulative character.

   Synonymesadversarychallengercompetitorcontenderenemyfoehostileopponentopposerrival

   Antonymesadvocateallyfriendproponentsupporter

2. Opposing muscleC1formalmedical

   A muscle that acts in opposition to the action of another muscle, relaxing while the other contracts.

   Muscle antagoniste

   • The biceps and triceps are antagonist muscle pairs.
   • When you flex your arm, the antagonist muscle relaxes.
   • Physical therapy often focuses on strengthening antagonist muscles.

   Synonymesantagonistic muscle

   Antonymesagonistprotagonistsynergist

3. Drug blockerC1formalmedical

   A substance that inhibits or counteracts the physiological action of another substance, such as a hormone or neurotransmitter.

   Antagoniste (pharmacologie)

   • The doctor prescribed an opioid antagonist to reverse the overdose.
   • This drug acts as a receptor antagonist, blocking the effects of histamine.
   • Antagonist drugs are used to treat various conditions by neutralizing harmful substances.

   Synonymesblockerblocking agentinhibitor

   Antonymesagonist