agonistic

comparative more agonistic · superlative most agonistic

1. Of or relating to contests that were originally participated in by the Ancient Greeks; athletic.

   Joys of the solitary walk, the spirit bow’d yet proud, the suffering and the struggle? The agonistic throes, the ecstasies, joys of the solemn musings day or night?

   1881, Walt Whitman, “A Song of Joys”, in Leaves of Grass, London: David Bogue, page 147

   1 more example

   These words, with what follow, are for the most part agonistic, referring to the customes of the Grecian exercices, in their games. The words [translated] apprehended, signifie to catch, or apprehend the Crown, that hung over the Goal: so also [the word translated] perfect, is an Agonistic word that signifies the being crowned, or receiving the reward:

   1673, Theophilus Gale, A Discourse of Christ’s Coming, London: John Hancock Senior and Junior, Chapter 2, Section 4, p. 70

2. anthropologyCharacterised by conflict or hostility.

   This was clearly such an event, but like the ancient religion of Israel, it was also deeply agonistic.

   2006, Karen Armstrong, The Great Transformation, Atlantic Books, published 2007, page 66

   2 more examples

   Although most agonistic interactions consist of signals of threat and submission, symbolic aggression is effective only because the possibility of escalation exists […]

   1978, Donald Symons, “The Question of Function: Dominance and Play”, in Euclid O. Smith, editor, Social Play in Primates, New York: Academic Press, page 207

   Sociality swung wildly between extremes of collective affiliation and agonistic striving for dominance.

   2014, Lucas Bessire, Behold the Black Caiman: A Chronicle of Ayoreo Life, The University of Chicago Press, Introduction, p. 8

3. rhetoricArgumentative; combative.

   Sharply Frank said, “A place like this is a crimp in your plan, isn’t it?” Boone’s gaze returned to him. The surrounding crowd slipped away, sensing the agonistic nature of the exchange.

   1992, Kim Stanley Robinson, Red Mars, New York: Bantam, published 1993, Part 1, p. 15

4. Struggling to achieve an effect; strained and contrived.
5. biochemistryPertaining to an agonist.