antagonistic
adjective
an·tag·o·nis·tic
(ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik 
: showing dislike or opposition : marked by or resulting from antagonism
an antagonistic relationship
factions antagonistic to one another
Examples of antagonistic in a Sentence
They found it impossible to deal with such antagonistic groups.
countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries
Recent Examples on the Web
Esmeralda comes closest, but her role (at least in the early episodes) is more of an antagonistic one.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
For much of its past, consciousness research has always seemed rather antagonistic.
—Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
In the past, Italy has played a valuable role as a bridge between Europe and antagonistic governments in Russia and China, and in some Middle Eastern nations.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
Hot summers are nothing new for much of the United States, but the combination of heat and humidity has taken on a truly antagonistic role this year, pushing us closer to our melting points in an already uncomfortable season.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
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Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
For much of its past, consciousness research has always seemed rather antagonistic.
—Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
In the past, Italy has played a valuable role as a bridge between Europe and antagonistic governments in Russia and China, and in some Middle Eastern nations.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
Hot summers are nothing new for much of the United States, but the combination of heat and humidity has taken on a truly antagonistic role this year, pushing us closer to our melting points in an already uncomfortable season.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
Cite this Entry
“Antagonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonistic. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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Medical Definition
antagonistic
adjective
an·tag·o·nis·tic
(ˌ)an-ˌtag-ə-ˈnis-tik
1
: characterized by or resulting from antagonism
antagonistic antibiotics
2
: relating to or being muscles that are antagonists
skeletal muscles arranged in antagonistic pairs
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