IPA: /ˌæɡəˈnɪstɪkli/
KK: /æɡəˈnɪstɪkli/
In a way that relates to competition or conflict, often involving struggle or rivalry.
The competitors approached the challenge agonistically, ready to confront each other fiercely.
Agonistically is derived from "agon" (from Greek "agōn", meaning contest or struggle) and the suffix "-istically" (meaning in a manner relating to). The word refers to behaving in a manner that relates to competition or struggle.
Think of 'agon' as a contest or struggle, and remember that 'agonistically' means acting in a way that relates to competition.