Definition of AGONIST

agonist

Meanings

Plural: agonists

Noun

  • the principal character in a work of fiction
  • someone involved in a contest or battle (as in an agon)
  • a muscle that contracts while another relaxes
    • "when bending the elbow the biceps are the agonist"
  • (biochemistry) a drug that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiological reaction
  • Someone involved in a contest or battle (as in an agon), protagonist.
  • The muscle that contracts while the other relaxes.
  • A molecule that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiological reaction.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Latin agōnista, from Ancient Greek ἀγωνιστής (agōnistḗs, “combatant, champion”). By surface analysis, agon or agony + -ist.

Synonyms

protagonist

Antonyms

antagonist

Scrabble Score: 8

agonist is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
agonist is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
agonist is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

agonist is a valid Words With Friends word