antagonist

Where does the word "antagonist" come from? It comes from Greek antagonistes, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).

Antagonist’s story begins in Greek: antagonistes meant “an opponent, a rival.” An opponent, a rival, from anti- (against) and agonistes (combatant). It reached English by 1590s as antagonist. Settled as the English word for a character or force opposing the main character. Today, antagonist means a character or force that opposes the main character in a story.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient antagonistes "an opponent, a rival", an opponent, a rival, from anti- (against) and agonistes (combatant).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1590s antagonist "a character or force opposing the protagonist", settled as the English word for a character or force opposing the main character.