an-TAG-uh-niz-uhm
/æˈntæɡəˌnɪzəm/
Antagonism is pronounced an-TAG-uh-niz-uhm (/æˈntæɡəˌnɪzəm/). Antagonism is a stance or condition where active opposition or hostility exists between opposing forces, ideas, or individuals. It denotes persistent conflict, often rooted in competing interests or values, and can manifest as behavior, rhetoric, or systemic opposition. The term emphasizes antagonistic dynamics rather than isolated incidents.
nounAntagonism is a stance or condition where active opposition or hostility exists between opposing forces, ideas, or individuals. It denotes persistent conflict, often rooted in competing interests or values, and can manifest as behavior, rhetoric, or systemic opposition. The term emphasizes antagonistic dynamics rather than isolated incidents.
How to Pronounce Antagonism
"There was clear antagonism between the rival teams after the controversial referee decision."
"Classroom antagonism gradually diminished once the students understood each other’s perspectives."
"The documentary explored the political antagonism that shaped policy debates for decades."
Pronounce as an-TAG-uh-niz-uhm, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA US: /ænˈtæɡənɪzəm/. Break it into syllables: an-TAG-o-nism. Start with a short æ in the first syllable, then a stressed 'tag' with a hard g, followed by unstressed 'uh' and 'niz-um' with a soft 'z' sound. For accurate vowel quality, keep the middle vowels crisp and the final -ism syllable light. Audio reference: try listening to pronunciation drills on Pronounce or Forvo for native-speaker examples.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (placing emphasis on the first or third rather than the second), mispronouncing the middle 'tag' as a soft 't' or 'd' sound, and merging the final -ism too loosely (sounding like -izm). Correct by stressing -TAG- and keeping a sharp /tæɡ/ with a clear 'g' release, then reduce the following syllables to /ənɪzəm/ rather than a heavier /əzəm/. Practice with minimal pairs to lock the stress and consonant.
In US English, you’ll hear /ænˈtæɡənɪzəm/ with a rhotic r in related words; /æŋ-/ is not present here. UK English typically keeps /ænˈtæɡənɪz(ə)m/ with a non-rhotic tendency; AU variants align closely with UK but may feature slightly flatter vowels and a more centralized 'ɪ' in the second syllable. The main differences center on vowel quality and the optional schwa in the final syllable; overall, the rhythm and primary stress remain on the second syllable in all three varieties.
The difficulty comes from the cluster 'tæg' followed by 'ənɪzəm' where the 'gn' presence is surprising in some languages, and the final unstressed -ism can reduce to /-əm/ or /-ɪzəm/. The two syllable boundary after the stressed /æɡ/ can trip listeners when it’s spoken quickly. The key challenges are maintaining the /æ/ in both the first two syllables and clearly articulating the /ɡ/ before the /ən/ sequence, plus the final syllabic /zəm/.
One unique feature is the sequence -tag- where English often uses a crisp, voiceless /t/ followed by a hard /ɡ/ release—so avoid blending into a /d/ or /tɡ/ sound. Also, the final -ism is not typically stressed, so you should keep -zəm as a light, quick ending rather than a heavy syllable. Paying attention to the square of stress on -TAG- helps you land the word naturally in both formal and informal contexts.
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Antagonism derives from the Greek anti- meaning against and agonizesthai meaning to contend or struggle, ultimately from agon- meaning contest or struggle and -ism denoting a system or condition. The term emerged in English via late Greek and Latin medical and philosophical vocabularies, aligning with notions of opposition or rivalrous behavior. In classical rhetoric and philosophy, antagonism described opposing forces in ethics, politics, or character dynamics within dialogues and treatises. By the 17th–18th centuries, English usage broadened to describe interpersonal hostility and rivalries between groups or factions, not merely physical confrontations. In contemporary usage, antagonism encompasses structural or ideological conflict as well as direct personal antagonism, frequently in social science, literature, and political discourse. First known uses appear in scholarly and literary texts that discuss adversarial relationships, gradually expanding to common speech in the 19th and 20th centuries as social and political disputes intensified. The word’s semantic trajectory reflects an enduring human preoccupation with opposition, competition, and the friction inherent in opposing viewpoints or interests.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Antagonism" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Antagonism" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Antagonism"
-ism sounds
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