antagonistic

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adjective an·tag·o·nis·tic \ (ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈnis-tik \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of antagonistic

:showing dislike or opposition :marked by or resulting from antagonism

an antagonistic relationship

factions antagonistic to one another

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antagonistically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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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 of antagonistic from the Web

Kanell made his name at ESPN largely on his ability to tweak Alabama and SEC fans with his often antagonistic viewpoints.

— creg stephenson, AL.com, "Danny Kanell back on air, just in time for Alabama-Florida State," 28 Aug. 2017
Despite his antagonistic response to the suggestion, Sascha’s assuredness is hardly disputed on tour.

— Longreads, "Family Band," 22 Aug. 2017
Rather than the crisis of a nation divided by antagonistic labor systems and ideologies, the war became a tragic conflict that nonetheless accomplished the task of solidifying the nation.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Confederate Monuments Were Built to Change History, Not Preserve It," 17 Aug. 2017
The Fort and the town had grown up together since 1863 and knew a lively interaction in social life that was occasionally antagonistic but generally friendly.

— arthur hart, idahostatesman, "Early local baseball teams named themselves the Know-nothings and Bummers," 12 Aug. 2017
The Reinvention of Ted Cruz: John Hart contends that the antagonistic Ted Cruz of 2013 has been replaced by a more persuasive, savvy, and ambitious Cruz 2.0.

— lena felton, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Politics & Policy Daily: Make Juries Grand Again," 3 Aug. 2017
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is ASEAN chairman this year, moved swiftly after taking office last year to revive his country’s once-frosty ties with China while taking an antagonistic attitude toward its U.S. ally.

— jim gomez, The Seattle Times, "ASEAN wants talks on nonaggression pact with China soon," 2 Aug. 2017
Sookie St. James and Michel Gerard are probably the last two Gilmore Girls characters who would ever go on vacation together, but their IRL counterparts, apparently, have a much less antagonistic relationship.

— andrea park, Teen Vogue, ""Gilmore Girls" Stars Melissa McCarthy and Yanic Truesdale Reunite in Greece," 19 July 2017
An antagonistic federal government or the budget crisis in Baton Rouge proved too much for some state lawmakers to make the leap.

— richard rainey, NOLA.com, "NOLA Votes 2017: Next mayor of New Orleans? Unclear from the start," 15 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antagonistic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.