antagonize
verb
an·tag·o·nize
an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz 
antagonized; antagonizing
1
: to incur or provoke the hostility of
His criticism antagonized his friends.
2
: to act in opposition to : counteract
The drug is antagonized by methylxanthines, such as caffeine and theophylline …—
Scientific American Medicine
Scientific American MedicineExamples of antagonize in a Sentence
He didn't mean to antagonize you.
Her comments antagonized many people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Beijing has sought to navigate this ambivalence by engaging individual European governments while sidelining Brussels, a tactic that reliably antagonizes EU institutions.
—Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Tradwifery carries an undercurrent of trolling—a middle finger raised at anyone antagonized by women boasting about catering to their husband’s every whim.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Tollinche allegedly antagonizes people on the social media platform, and neighborhood teens have recently been gathering outside his home, knocking on his door and calling him out, according to police.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Young has continued to antagonize New York fans, including pretending to roll dice on the Knicks logo after a 2024 victory clinched a trip to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
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Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Tradwifery carries an undercurrent of trolling—a middle finger raised at anyone antagonized by women boasting about catering to their husband’s every whim.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Tollinche allegedly antagonizes people on the social media platform, and neighborhood teens have recently been gathering outside his home, knocking on his door and calling him out, according to police.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Young has continued to antagonize New York fans, including pretending to roll dice on the Knicks logo after a 2024 victory clinched a trip to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonize. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
antagonize
verb
an·tag·o·nize
an-ˈtag-ə-ˌnīz
antagonized; antagonizing
: to stir up dislike or anger in
Medical Definition
antagonize
transitive verb
an·tag·o·nize
variants
also British antagonise
antagonized also British antagonised; antagonizing also British antagonising
: to act in antagonism to : counteract
these effects are antagonized by atropine—Ernest Bueding & Harry Most
Ernest Bueding & Harry MostLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
