agonist
noun
ag·o·nist
ˈa-gə-nist 
1
: one that is engaged in a struggle
2
[from antagonist]
a
: a muscle that is controlled by the action of an antagonist with which it is paired
b
: a chemical substance capable of combining with a specific receptor on a cell and initiating the same reaction or activity typically produced by the binding endogenous substance
dopaminergic agonists
compare antagonist sense 2b
Examples of agonist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Over the past few years, GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs have become part of many people’s treatment regimens.
—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Patients treated with semaglutide had a 46 percent lower risk of developing ADRD than those receiving insulin, a 33 percent lower risk than those on metformin, and a 20 percent lower risk than those on earlier GLP-1 agonists.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
For a long time, dopamine agonists were the first line of medications.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
In May 2024, a KFF Health Tracking Poll found that approximately 6 percent of American adults—about 15 million people—were using GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic, either for diabetes treatment or weight loss.
—Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
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Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Patients treated with semaglutide had a 46 percent lower risk of developing ADRD than those receiving insulin, a 33 percent lower risk than those on metformin, and a 20 percent lower risk than those on earlier GLP-1 agonists.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
For a long time, dopamine agonists were the first line of medications.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
In May 2024, a KFF Health Tracking Poll found that approximately 6 percent of American adults—about 15 million people—were using GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic, either for diabetes treatment or weight loss.
—Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonist
Cite this Entry
“Agonist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonist. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
agonist
noun
ag·o·nist
ˈag-ə-nəst
1
: a muscle that on contracting is automatically checked and controlled by the opposing simultaneous contraction of another muscle
called also agonist muscle, prime mover
compare antagonist sense a, synergist sense 22
: a chemical substance (as a drug) capable of combining with a receptor on a cell and initiating the same reaction or activity typically produced by the binding of an endogenous substance
binding of adrenergic agonists
compare antagonist sense b
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