3 syllables: a, gon, ist. Stress on a.
AG-uh-nist
/ˈæɡənɪst/
agonist is pronounced AG-uh-nist (/ˈæɡənɪst/). It has three syllables (a-gon-ist), with the stress on "a". agonist is a word used in pharmacology and biochemistry to describe a substance that binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a biological response. It can also refer to a participant who pursues goals or takes action in a competitive context. In specialized usage, it denotes the activating role in receptor signaling or physiological processes. The term contrasts with antagonist, which blocks receptor activity.
agonist is a word used in pharmacology and biochemistry to describe a substance that binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a biological response. It can also refer to a participant who pursues goals or takes action in a competitive context. In specialized usage, it denotes the activating role in receptor signaling or physiological processes. The term contrasts with antagonist, which blocks receptor activity.
- You’ll often misplace stress by saying a-GO-nist. To correct, practice emphasizing the first syllable and briefly pausing before the /ɡ/ release. - The /ɡ/ may soften into a /k/ or glide; focus on a hard release into /ən/; slow it down to lock the stop. - The second syllable often reduces, collapsing /ənɪst/ into /nɪst/. Practice with tight /ən/ and clear /ɪst/ to avoid trailing into /nɪst/.
"The agonist binds to the receptor and triggers a conformational change."
"In pharmacology, the epinephrine acts as an agonist at beta-adrenergic receptors."
"She played the role of the protagonist’s ally, an agonist in the team’s drive to win."
Say AG-ə-nɪst (US) or AG-ə-nɪst (UK/AU) with primary stress on the first syllable. The /æ/ in AG is a bright short vowel, the /ɡ/ is a hard pause into /ən/ as a syllabic or reduced 'uh' sound, and the final /ɪst/ is clearly pronounced, not merged. Audio resources: Cambridge or Oxford pronunciations show the /æ/ and the /ɡ/ release clearly. IPA: US /ˈæɡənɪst/, UK /ˈæɡənɪst/, AU /ˈæɡənɪst/.
Common errors: misplacing stress (saying a-GO-nist), softening /ɡ/ into a /d/ (ag-ə-nist), or slurring /ən/ into a quick /ən/ without the clear /ɡ/ release. Correction: keep the /æ/ clearly short, release the /ɡ/ into the /ən/ cluster, and maintain the first-syllable stress. Practice with: AG-ə-nɪst and ensure the /ɡ/ remains a hard, stopped consonant before the vowel. Review IPA: /ˈæɡənɪst/.
In US, UK, and AU, the primary stress stays on the first syllable: /ˈæɡənɪst/. Rhotic difference is minimal here; the /ɹ/ is not involved. Vowel quality is similar, though some speakers in non-rhotic varieties may reduce the second syllable more. The main variation is vowel length and consonant clarity: Americans may emphasize a crisper /æ/ and /ɡ/ release; UK/AU often maintain a slightly shorter /æ/ before the /ɡ/ and clear /ɪst/ ending.
The challenge is the distinct alveolar stop /ɡ/ followed by a reduced syllable /ən/. Beginners often blend /ən/ into a schwa, diminishing the 'g' release. The diphthongal rhythm of AG-ə-nɪst requires precise timing: hold the /æ/ briefly, execute a clean /ɡ/ release, and land on /ənɪst/ without adding extra vowels. IPA landmarks help you visualize the mouth positions: /ˈæɡənɪst/.
Yes: the /æ/ in the first syllable is a bright near-front vowel that often remains tenser in careful speech, followed by a hard /g/ release into a short /ən/ before /ɪst/. Paying attention to the momentary stop after /æ/ ensures you don’t slide into a dull /æɡənɪst/ without release. Keep the jaw steady and use a crisp /ɡ/ closure.
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- US: crisp /æ/ and a strong /ɡ/ release; avoid over-rounding the lips. - UK: non-rhoticity not affecting the word, so /ˈæɡənɪst/ with slightly shorter /æ/ and a slightly lighter /ɡ/ release. - AU: similar to US but can feature slightly broader vowel space; maintain the same stress pattern and ensure clear enunciation of /ənɪst/.
agonist comes from the Greek agonist (agonizein) meaning to struggle or contend, with agon- meaning contest, competition, or gathering of effort; the suffix -ist denotes a person who performs a specified action. The word was adopted into English via medical and scientific Latin/Greek roots to describe substances that activate receptors. Early pharmacology texts used agonist to distinguish active receptor ligands from antagonists, which block activity. The earliest uses trace to the 19th century, aligned with broader Greek-derived terms for contests and contests’ actors. Over time, the term broadened to non-pharmacological contexts to describe individuals who actively engage or propel processes—hence, a more general “activator” or
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "agonist" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "agonist" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "agonist"
-ist sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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