antagonize

verb an·tag·o·nize \ an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Examples: antagonize in a Sentence

Definition of antagonize

antagonized; antagonizing

transitive verb

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

See antagonize defined for English-language learners

See antagonize defined for kids

Examples of antagonize in a Sentence

He didn't mean to antagonize you.
Her comments antagonized many people.

Recent Examples of antagonize from the Web

While Gundogan attempted to distance himself from the incident in Britain, Ozil has maintained his silence – antagonizing the same people who said the issue had been dealt with before the World Cup.

— ciaran fahey, The Seattle Times, "Germany makes Mesut Ozil the scapegoat for World Cup exit," 10 July 2018
Blogger Erick Erickson wrote that Trump antagonized the G7 then made kissy face with a man who routinely murders his own people.

— Fox News, "Two FBI agents sought to 'stop' Trump," 18 June 2018
Witnesses said that even as the teens were peacefully leaving, Sebby-Strempel continued to antagonize them.

— monique judge, The Root, "Crazy, Racist White Woman Assaults Black Teens and Insults Them With Racial Slurs at a Public Swimming Pool," 26 June 2018
Yet the project has antagonized the Afghanistan government, which does not consider this border line, known as the Durand line, as the fair and official boundary between the two neighbors.

— hollie mckay, Fox News, "Trump's wrath forces Pakistan to double down on push to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries," 10 July 2018
But Marquardt said police were unable to arrest him, and that the staff was afraid to antagonize him by taking him to court.

— adi robertson, The Verge, "Five newspaper staff killed by man who sued them for covering his online threats and harassment," 29 June 2018
Most pitchers wouldn't dream of antagonizing Tennessee Tech.

— nick moyle, Houston Chronicle, "UT drops Game 1 of super regional to Tennessee Tech," 9 June 2018
Most pitchers wouldn’t dream of antagonizing Tennessee Tech.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas drops first game in Super Regional," 9 June 2018
On Thursday, the 76ers and former president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo agreed to part ways amid a scandal involving burner Twitter accounts that disclosed sensitive team information and antagonized multiple players on the roster.

— khadrice rollins, SI.com, "Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Rumors: Who Replaces Bryan Colangelo?," 7 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of antagonize

Greek antagōnizesthai, from anti- + agōnizesthai to struggle, from agōn contest — more at agony

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1742

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

antagonize Synonyms

Synonyms

embitter, envenom;

Near Antonyms

endear, ingratiate;

appease, assuage, mollify, pacify, placate, propitiate;

sweeten;

alienate, disaffect, disgruntle, estrange, set (against);

curdle, sour;

ANTAGONIZE Defined for English Language Learners

antagonize

verb

Definition of antagonize for English Language Learners

: to cause (someone) to feel hostile or angry : to irritate or upset (someone)

ANTAGONIZE Defined for Kids

antagonize

verb an·tag·o·nize \ an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz \

Definition of antagonize for Students

antagonized; antagonizing

: to stir up dislike or anger in

The bully antagonizes younger kids.

Medical Dictionary

antagonize

transitive verb an·tag·o·nize

variants: also British antagonise play \an-ˈtag-ə-ˌnīz\

medical Definition of antagonize

antagonized also British antagonised; antagonizing also British antagonising

: to act in antagonism to : counteract

these effects are antagonized by atropine
—Ernest Bueding & Harry Most

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See words that rhyme with antagonize Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for antagonize Spanish Central: Translation of antagonize Nglish: Translation of antagonize for Spanish speakers

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antagonize

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Examples of antagonize in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of antagonize

antagonize Synonyms

Synonyms

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ANTAGONIZE Defined for English Language Learners

antagonize

Definition of antagonize for English Language Learners

ANTAGONIZE Defined for Kids

antagonize

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Medical Dictionary

antagonize

medical Definition of antagonize

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