1. a political or social theory that emphasizes the inevitability and value of conflict and disagreement in democratic systems, rather than seeking consensus
Usage: academic, political theory
2. in biology and pharmacology, the action or effect of an agonist (a substance that initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor)
Usage: technical, medical/scientific

Examples

• The political theorist argued for agonism as a more realistic model of democracy than consensus-building.
• Agonism recognizes that disagreement and debate are essential features of healthy political systems.
• The drug's agonism at dopamine receptors produces its therapeutic effects.
• Rather than eliminating conflict, agonism suggests we should institutionalize it constructively.
• The researcher studied the agonism of various compounds on the target receptor.
• Agonism in political theory contrasts with deliberative democracy's emphasis on rational agreement.