Antagonist
Antagonist noun - One that is hostile toward another.
Usage example: please name the novel's hero and his antagonist
Rival is a synonym for antagonist in opponent topic. In some cases you can use "Rival" instead a noun "Antagonist", when it comes to topics like person, competitor, adversary, enemy. popular alternative
Rival
Rival noun - One that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict.
Usage example: the boxer's toughest rival thus far
Antagonist is a synonym for rival in opponent topic. You can use "Antagonist" instead a noun "Rival", if it concerns topics such as enemy, person, competitor, adversary. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- equal and antagonist
- equal and rival
- match and antagonist
- match and rival
- equivalent and antagonist
- equivalent and rival
- opposition and antagonist
- opposition and rival
- competitor and antagonist
- competitor and rival
- contestant and antagonist
- contestant and rival
- assailant and antagonist
- assailant and rival
How words are described
| old | old antagonist | old rival |
| female | female antagonist | female rival |
| direct | direct antagonist | direct rival |
| true | true antagonist | true rival |
| Other adjectives: prominent, powerful, actual, real, male, big, potential, main, ultimate, major, chief, possible, former, final, primary, unknown, titular, designated, recurring, said, long-time, biggest. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- This person can be either with, or against the protagonist—thus sometimes pulling double duty as a major antagonist or rival to the protagonist; though they are rarely the main "villain" in this sort of scenario, they may be a high ranking minion.
Source: Deuteragonist - If anything, she initially seems like another one-off rival/antagonist, who really only serves to drive a wedge between Lum and Ataru.
- Many heroes actually have specific quotes for certain victims, usually their antagonist/rival/friend (EG: Any Major Diablo III character versus Diablo himself).
Source: Trash Talk
Cite this Source
Rival and Antagonist. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/antagonist/rival
Antagonist & Rival. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/antagonist/rival>.
Rival or Antagonist. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/antagonist/rival.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "antagonist" and "rival" have occurred on timeline