ag·o·nis·tic / ˌagəˈnistik/ • adj. combative; polemical. ∎ Zool. (of animal behavior) associated with conflict. ∎  Biochem. of, relating to, or acting as an agonist.DERIVATIVES: ag·o·nis·ti·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.

agonistic Applied to behaviour between two rival individuals of the same species that may involve aggression, threat, appeasement, or avoidance, or that may be ritualized (e.g. as birdsong (see song), or as certain forms of display). Agonistic behaviour often arises from a conflict between aggression and fear.

agonistic Applied to behaviour between two rival individuals of the same species that may involve aggression, threat, appeasement, or avoidance, or that may be ritualized (e.g. as bird song, or as certain forms of display). Agonistic behaviour often arises from a conflict between aggression and fear.