The antonym of the word protagonist is ______.
Show Hint
- agnostic
- antagonist
- arsonist
- anarchist
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
A quick way to solve antonym questions of this type is to look at the root/prefix pattern of the given word and check whether any option is built on the same root with an opposing prefix, since English often forms exact opposites this way (for example "agree" versus "disagree").
The word "protagonist" is built from Greek roots: "proto-" (first) plus "agonistes" (actor, combatant). Now examine the options for a word sharing the same root "agon-" (contest, struggle) but with an opposing prefix. "Antagonist" is built from "anti-" (against) plus this very same root "agonistes". Because both words share the identical root "agon-" and differ only in the prefix ("proto-" = first/foremost versus "anti-" = against), they form a natural etymological opposite pair, exactly like protagonist (the one for whom the struggle unfolds) versus antagonist (the one against whom it unfolds).
Checking the remaining options with the same root test: "agnostic" derives from Greek "a-" (without) plus "gnosis" (knowledge) - a completely different root. "Arsonist" derives from Latin "ardere" (to burn) - unrelated. "Anarchist" derives from Greek "an-" (without) plus "arkhos" (ruler) - again a different root. None of these three share any root with "protagonist", so none can be its antonym by word-formation logic, confirming that only option (B) qualifies.
Hence the antonym of protagonist is $\text{antagonist}$.
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