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
This calculated move aimed to generate significant buzz and re-establish Lynch with a new, more antagonistic persona upon her return to the WWE landscape.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
The Trump White House, though long antagonistic toward ObamaCare, surprisingly chose to continue the Biden administration’s defense of the law.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
Now, a lot of countries are — at least according to Trump — trying to negotiate on tariffs, but China, if anything, seems to be taking an aggressive, even antagonistic stance.
—Sean Collins, Vox, 16 Apr. 2025
In Europe, Beijing sees fresh opportunities to repair its relationships, as Trump’s antagonistic approach weakens transatlantic cohesion and tentative peace discussions in Ukraine raise the prospect of greater regional stability.
—Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
The Trump White House, though long antagonistic toward ObamaCare, surprisingly chose to continue the Biden administration’s defense of the law.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
Now, a lot of countries are — at least according to Trump — trying to negotiate on tariffs, but China, if anything, seems to be taking an aggressive, even antagonistic stance.
—Sean Collins, Vox, 16 Apr. 2025
In Europe, Beijing sees fresh opportunities to repair its relationships, as Trump’s antagonistic approach weakens transatlantic cohesion and tentative peace discussions in Ukraine raise the prospect of greater regional stability.
—Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 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 4 May. 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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