antagonistic

adjective

an·​tag·​o·​nis·​tic (ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik How to pronounce antagonistic (audio)
: showing dislike or opposition : marked by or resulting from antagonism
an antagonistic relationship
factions antagonistic to one another
antagonistically adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Crowe will play a swordsman who mentors Cavill's Highlander, and Bautista will play an antagonistic immortal known as The Kurgen, while Gillan will star as Connor's very mortal wife. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025 In my imagination, the energy of the people and the land whose nonconsensual labor fuels AI are asserting agency as an antagonistic force against the very people and companies that enable their exploitation. Essence, 24 Sep. 2025 While the majority of the characters in the film operate on disparate sides of the political spectrum, Anderson made sure the relationships between them — even antagonistic ones — felt tangible. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025 Advertisement The Pentagon in particular has had a tense, if not antagonistic, relationship with the press. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antagonistic

Word History

Etymology

see antagonize

First Known Use

circa 1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antagonistic was circa 1637

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Cite this Entry

“Antagonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonistic. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

antagonistic

adjective
an·​tag·​o·​nis·​tic (ˌ)an-ˌtag-ə-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce antagonistic (audio)
: showing antagonism
antagonistically adverb

Medical Definition

antagonistic

adjective
an·​tag·​o·​nis·​tic (ˌ)an-ˌtag-ə-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce antagonistic (audio)
1
: characterized by or resulting from antagonism
antagonistic antibiotics
2
: relating to or being muscles that are antagonists
skeletal muscles arranged in antagonistic pairs
antagonistically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on antagonistic

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