'antagonism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'antagōnismos', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'agōn' meant 'contest' or 'struggle'.

'antagonism' changed from Late Latin 'antagonismus' (and Medieval/early modern forms) into Middle English forms like 'antagonisme' and eventually became the modern English word 'antagonism'.

Initially, it referred to 'contest' or 'rivalry' in a general sense; over time it broadened to mean active opposition or hostility and, in technical contexts, inhibitory interactions.