Antagonism refers to strong opposition, hostility, or conflict between people, groups, or ideas. It arises when two sides have deeply conflicting interests, beliefs, or goals, leading to tension and sometimes aggression. Antagonism can be seen in personal relationships, politics, competition, or ideological differences. In Indonesian, “antagonism” can be translated as “permusuhan,” “pertentangan,” or “konflik yang berkepanjangan.”
Synonyms of “Antagonism”:
- Hostility (permusuhan)
- Opposition (perlawanan)
- Enmity (permusuhan mendalam)
- Animosity (permusuhan atau kebencian)
- Resentment (kedongkolan atau dendam)
- Rivalry (persaingan)
- Conflict (konflik)
- Bitterness (kepahitan perasaan)
- Contention (perselisihan)
- Spite (kedengkian)
Example Sentences Using “Antagonism”:
- There was clear antagonism between the two political parties.
- His antagonism toward authority made him rebellious.
- The antagonism between the two companies led to an intense business rivalry.
- Decades of cultural differences created deep antagonism between the neighboring nations.
- The antagonism in their relationship grew stronger after the argument.
- He expressed his antagonism by constantly opposing their ideas.
- The antagonism between the teacher and student made the classroom atmosphere tense.
- Religious and ideological antagonism can divide societies.
- The movie portrayed the classic antagonism between good and evil.
- He tried to hide his antagonism, but his actions revealed his true feelings.
Related Words:
- Distrust (ketidakpercayaan)
- Disagreement (ketidaksepakatan)
- Belligerence (sikap agresif atau suka bertengkar)
- Coldness (ketidakpedulian atau sikap dingin)
- Prejudice (prasangka buruk)
- Fury (kemarahan hebat)
- Wrath (amarah yang mendalam)
- Malice (niat jahat)
Antonyms of “Antagonism”:
- Friendship (persahabatan)
- Harmony (keselarasan)
- Cooperation (kerja sama)
- Affection (kasih sayang)
- Goodwill (itikad baik)
- Understanding (pengertian)
- Peace (kedamaian)
- Respect (rasa hormat)
- Kindness (kebaikan)
- Tolerance (toleransi)
Phrasal Verbs Related to “Antagonism”:
- Come up against – To face antagonism or opposition (“She came up against strong antagonism from her critics.”)
- Stand up to – To resist or fight against antagonism (“He stood up to the antagonism from his opponents.”)
- Push back against – To oppose or resist (“The workers pushed back against the antagonism from their managers.”)
- Get past – To overcome antagonism (“They worked hard to get past their antagonism and cooperate.”)
- Break down – To reduce hostility or opposition (“Diplomatic efforts helped break down the antagonism between the nations.”)
Idiomatic Expressions Related to “Antagonism”:
- “At each other’s throats” – Constantly arguing or fighting due to antagonism.
- “A thorn in one’s side” – Someone or something that constantly causes antagonism or problems.
- “Butting heads” – Engaging in strong disagreements or conflicts.
- “Adding fuel to the fire” – Making antagonism worse by provoking someone.
- “Draw a line in the sand” – Establishing firm opposition against something.
How to Overcome Antagonism
If you experience antagonism, here are some ways to manage it:
- Practice open communication – Many conflicts arise from misunderstandings. Talking things through can help.
- Show empathy – Trying to understand the other person’s perspective can reduce antagonism.
- Seek compromise – Finding common ground can help resolve conflicts.
- Avoid unnecessary confrontation – Some battles are not worth fighting.
- Promote cooperation – Focusing on shared goals rather than differences can reduce antagonism.
Conclusion
Antagonism is a strong feeling of hostility, opposition, or rivalry between individuals, groups, or ideas. It can create tension, division, and conflict, but through communication, compromise, and understanding, antagonism can be transformed into cooperation and harmony.
