antagonism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a state of deep-seated ill-will
    enmity; hostility.
  2. noun the relation between opposing principles or forces or factors
    • the inherent antagonism of capitalism and socialism
  3. noun an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility
  4. noun (biochemistry) interference in or inhibition of the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure

WordNet

An*tag"o*nism noun
Etymology
Gr. , fr. to struggle against; against + to contend or struggle, contest: cf. F. antagonisme. See Agony.
Definitions
  1. Opposition of action; counteraction or contrariety of things or principles. ✍ We speak of antagonism between two things, to or against a thing, and sometimes with a thing.

Webster 1913