antagonism
Deep-seated mutual hatred
Antagonism is active opposition or hostility between forces, people, or ideas.
The word suggests ongoing friction rather than a single clash: There was long-standing antagonism between the two families.
In biology, antagonism describes the opposition between muscles, drugs, or organisms that work against each other.
The feeling need not be mutual—you can feel antagonism toward someone who barely notices you.
Active, bitter hostility
- enmityBitter, lasting ill will
- hatredIntense hostile aversion
- ill willHostile or unfriendly feeling
- malevolenceActive ill will
spite · venom · vitriol · acrimony · animus · antipathy · aversion · contempt
Violent disagreement or collision
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
feud · discord · tension · strife · opposition · quarrel · dissension · warfare
Active resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- rebuffAbrupt, curt rejection
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
recalcitrance · intransigence · pushback · blocking · thwarting · obstinacy · insubordination · dissent
Struggle for supremacy
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
- competitorOne striving against others
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
arch-rival · contender · challenger · sparring · contest · vying · one-upmanship · vendetta
animosity
Active, bitter hostility
malevolence · spite · venom · vitriol · acrimony · animus · antipathy · aversion · contempt · disdain
clash
Violent disagreement or collision
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
contention · feud · discord · tension · strife · opposition · quarrel · dissension · warfare · combat
opposition
Active resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- rebuffAbrupt, curt rejection
noncompliance · recalcitrance · intransigence · pushback · blocking · thwarting · obstinacy · insubordination · dissent · counterforce
competition
Struggle for supremacy
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
- competitorOne striving against others
nemesis · arch-rival · contender · challenger · sparring · contest · vying · one-upmanship · vendetta · grudge match
- aggressionhostility, violence, attack, fight, combativeness
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
- ecologyhabitat, ecosystem, balance, niche, food webs
- bad bloodanimosity, hostility, enmity, resentment, grudge
- disagreementsdisagree, argue, dispute, quarrel, argument
- hatredhate, hateful, abhor, abhorrence, detest
antagonismfriendship
Bond of mutual affection
amity · harmony · goodwill · rapport · cordiality
antagonismalliance
Formal union of parties
cooperation · collaboration · solidarity · partnership · support
antagonismgoodwill
Kindly, generous spirit
benevolence · friendliness · sympathy · love · affection
- dopamine antagonistBlocks neurotransmitter binding sites
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