agonistic

adjective

ag·o·nis·tic ˌa-gə-ˈni-stik How to pronounce agonistic (audio)

: of or relating to the athletic contests of ancient Greece

: argumentative

: striving for effect : strained

: of, relating to, or being aggressive or defensive social interaction (such as fighting, fleeing, or submitting) between individuals usually of the same species

agonistically

ˌa-gə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce agonistic (audio)

adverb

Did you know?

Agonistic has its roots in ancient Greece—specifically in the agonistic (to use the oldest sense of the word) athletic contests called agons featured at public festivals. From physical conflict to verbal jousting, agonistic came to be used as a synonym for argumentative and later to mean "striving for effect" or "strained." Common current use, however, is biological, relating to confrontational interaction among animals of the same species and the responsive behaviors—such as aggression, flight, or submission—they exhibit. Agonistic is also sometimes used to describe an agonist muscle, a muscle that on contracting is automatically checked and controlled by an opposing muscle, that other muscle being an antagonist. For example, during a bicep curl in weight lifting, the (contracted) bicep is the agonistic muscle and the (relaxed) triceps muscle is the antagonist.

Example Sentences

clearly a writer with a chip on his shoulder, he's very agonistic even when stating indisputable facts

Recent Examples on the Web But the drive, the bile, the essential, agonistic spirit that powers the greatest rock music and serves as the source of its creativity will almost certainly be lacking.

Damon Linker, The Week, 4 Sep. 2021 This agonistic version of the fact-value distinction leaves us with an impoverished ideal of social interaction.

Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 This agonistic version of the fact-value distinction leaves us with an impoverished ideal of social interaction.

Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 See More

单词	agonistic
释义	agonistic adjective ag·o·nis·tic ˌa-gə-ˈni-stik 1 : of or relating to the athletic contests of ancient Greece 2 : argumentative 3 : striving for effect : strained 4 : of, relating to, or being aggressive or defensive social interaction (such as fighting, fleeing, or submitting) between individuals usually of the same species agonistically ˌa-gə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē adverb Did you know? Agonistic has its roots in ancient Greece—specifically in the agonistic (to use the oldest sense of the word) athletic contests called agons featured at public festivals. From physical conflict to verbal jousting, agonistic came to be used as a synonym for argumentative and later to mean "striving for effect" or "strained." Common current use, however, is biological, relating to confrontational interaction among animals of the same species and the responsive behaviors—such as aggression, flight, or submission—they exhibit. Agonistic is also sometimes used to describe an agonist muscle, a muscle that on contracting is automatically checked and controlled by an opposing muscle, that other muscle being an antagonist. For example, during a bicep curl in weight lifting, the (contracted) bicep is the agonistic muscle and the (relaxed) triceps muscle is the antagonist. Synonyms aggressive argumentative assaultive bellicose belligerent brawly chippy combative confrontational contentious discordant disputatious feisty gladiatorial militant pugnacious quarrelsome scrappy truculent warlike See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences clearly a writer with a chip on his shoulder, he's very agonistic even when stating indisputable facts Recent Examples on the Web But the drive, the bile, the essential, agonistic spirit that powers the greatest rock music and serves as the source of its creativity will almost certainly be lacking. Damon Linker, The Week, 4 Sep. 2021 This agonistic version of the fact-value distinction leaves us with an impoverished ideal of social interaction. Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 This agonistic version of the fact-value distinction leaves us with an impoverished ideal of social interaction. Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 This agonistic version of the fact-value distinction leaves us with an impoverished ideal of social interaction. Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 This agonistic version of the fact-value distinction leaves us with an impoverished ideal of social interaction. Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 This agonistic version of the fact-value distinction leaves us with an impoverished ideal of social interaction. Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 This agonistic version of the fact-value distinction leaves us with an impoverished ideal of social interaction. Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 This agonistic version of the fact-value distinction leaves us with an impoverished ideal of social interaction. Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from Late Latin agōnisticus "of a contest," borrowed from Greek agōnistikós "fit for a contest, contentious," from agōnistḗs "one engaged in a contest or struggle" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at agonist First Known Use 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Medical Definition agonistic adjective ag·o·nis·tic ˌag-ə-ˈnis-tik : of, relating to, or being aggressive or defensive social interaction (as fighting, fleeing, or submitting) between individuals usually of the same species agonistic behavior agonistic adjective as in aggressive feeling or displaying eagerness to fight clearly a writer with a chip on his shoulder, he's very agonistic even when stating indisputable facts Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance aggressive militant hostile contentious assaultive combative warlike confrontational pugnacious irritable bellicose gladiatorial belligerent acidic fierce ugly argumentative antagonistic disputatious feisty quarrelsome truculent savage vicious scrappy discordant brawly chippy fighting rude cross warring disagreeable on the warpath petulant querulous fractious fretful dyspeptic peevish irascible bilious waspish ornery snappish testy choleric bristly surly grouchy huffy bearish battling pettish crabby ill-humored grumpy hot-tempered touchy ill-tempered stroppy ill-natured prickly cranky snappy Antonyms & Near Antonyms nonaggressive peaceful peaceable pacific nonbelligerent unwarlike antimilitarist pleasant conciliatory amiable benevolent friendly uncontentious sociable amicable cordial uncombative gracious easygoing affable complaisant genial unbelligerent ingratiating quiet calm mild anti-imperialist serene tranquil kindhearted obliging gentle benign relaxed good-natured good-tempered kindly See More
随便看	Sloanea sloaneae sloaneas sloanes sloans sloat slob slob land slob trout slobber slobber over slobberchops slobbered slobbered over slobberer slobberers slobberhannes slobberier slobberiest slobbering slobbering over slobbers slobbers over slobbery slobbier

agonistic

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Medical Definition

adjective

adjective