Tools: Learn New Words | Secure Password Generator | Startup Tools | PDF Generator

Agonist (Noun)

The principal character in a work of fiction.

Nouns denoting people.

The novel's agonist, a young and ambitious lawyer, must navigate a complex web of corruption and deceit to uncover the truth.
In the movie, the protagonist is often referred to as the agonist, but technically, the antagonist drives the plot forward, making them the true agonist.
The tragic agonist of the play, a king with a fatal flaw, ultimately brings about his own downfall through a series of poor decisions.
Throughout the story, the reader is drawn into the world of the agonist, a charismatic thief with a heart of gold.
In classical Greek tragedy, the agonist is typically a noble or aristocratic character whose flaws lead to their own demise, as seen in the character of Oedipus.

(biochemistry) a drug that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiological reaction.

Nouns denoting man-made objects.

Insulin is an agonist that binds to insulin receptors on the surface of cells, triggering a cascade of signals that regulate glucose uptake and metabolism.
The beta-2 agonist albuterol is used to treat asthma by relaxing airway smooth muscles and increasing airflow to the lungs.
Endorphins are natural agonists that bind to opioid receptors in the brain, producing feelings of pain relief and relaxation.
The development of new 5-HT1A agonists has shown promise in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders by modulating serotonin signaling.
Adrenaline is a potent agonist that activates adrenergic receptors on various cells, triggering the body's "fight or flight" response by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy mobilization.

A muscle that contracts while another relaxes; "when bending the elbow the biceps are the agonist".

Nouns denoting body parts.

The quadriceps muscle is the agonist when straightening the knee, while the hamstrings are the antagonist.
When flexing the wrist, the flexor carpi radialis muscle acts as the agonist, contracting to pull the wrist downward.
The pectoralis major muscle is the primary agonist when performing a push-up, as it contracts to move the arm.
The gastrocnemius muscle is an agonist when pointing the foot, working in conjunction with the soleus muscle to flex the foot downward.
When rotating the hip outward, the gluteus medius muscle acts as the agonist, contracting to move the leg away from the body.

Someone involved in a contest or battle (as in an agon).

Nouns denoting people.

The protagonist and antagonist clashed in the final showdown, each determined to emerge victorious as the ultimate agonist in the epic struggle.
In the Greek myth, Hercules was the agonist who fought against the monstrous Hydra and won.
The agonist in the chess tournament was a young prodigy who checkmated her opponent in a stunning upset.
The wrestler's opponent was a formidable agonist who pushed him to his limits in the intense match.
In the novel, the brave knight was the agonist who battled against the dark sorcerer to save the kingdom.