Basic Details
Word: Antagonism
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A feeling of anger or hostility towards someone or something; often involves opposition or conflict.
Synonyms: Hostility, opposition, enmity
Antonyms: Friendship, cooperation, harmony
Idioms and Phrases
- To stir up antagonism: To create conflict or hostility among people. Example: "His comments stirred up antagonism among the team members."
- Antagonism breeds contempt: When people are in conflict, they often lose respect for each other. Example: "The constant bickering in the group showed that antagonism breeds contempt."
Usage Examples
Example 1: There was a strong sense of antagonism between the two rival teams throughout the match.
Example 2: The protagonists' interactions were filled with antagonism, making the story more exciting.
Example 3: Antagonism in the workplace can lead to a toxic environment if not addressed properly.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "antagonism" comes from the Greek word "antagonists," which means "opponent" or "rival"? This reflects the idea of facing off against something.
Famous Quote
"The greatest conflicts are not between two people but between one person and himself." Guilt, conflict, and antagonism may lead to emotional strife, highlighting the internal battles we face.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "antagonism" mean?
a) Friendliness
b) A feeling of hostility
c) A kind of sport
d) A type of food
Answer: b) A feeling of hostility
2. Which of these is a synonym of "antagonism"?
a) Forgiveness
b) Enmity
c) Support
d) Harmony
Answer: b) Enmity
3. Which word is an antonym of "antagonism"?
a) Hostility
b) Conflict
c) Friendship
d) Opposition
Answer: c) Friendship
4. Which sentence uses "antagonism" correctly?
a) The antagonism in the story made everyone happy.
b) After years of friendship, they felt a sudden antagonism towards each other.
c) She cooked dinner with great antagonism.
d) The flowers bloomed with antagonism.
Answer: b) After years of friendship, they felt a sudden antagonism towards each other.
5. What does the phrase "to stir up antagonism" mean?
a) To bring people closer together
b) To create conflict or hostility
c) To cook a meal
d) To solve a puzzle
Answer: b) To create conflict or hostility
