antagonize

verb an·tag·o·nize \ an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 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

Roseanne and her husband, Dan, were mostly ever only confused, not antagonized, by signs of feminism or gay acceptance.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "The Roseanne Fantasy Is Over," 30 May 2018
While happy over that news, some worried that President Trump’s decision to abandon the nuclear agreement would antagonize the Iranian authorities, dimming any prospects of prisoner releases in Iran anytime soon.

— New York Times, "Relatives of American Prisoners in Iran Ask: What Now?," 9 May 2018
The exchange went as follows: Rose: As a member of the media, our job is to analyze, not antagonize.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "Michelle Beadle told Jalen Rose why he's wrong about Charles Barkley's remarks," 2 May 2018
By keeping Jacobson, Keegan was severely antagonizing his biggest individual shareholder.

— shawn tully, Fortune, "Paper Jam! How Carl Icahn And a Billionaire Partner Blocked Xerox’s Merger with Fujifilm," 21 May 2018
The steel and aluminum tariffs have antagonized traditional American allies.

— CBS News, "Time running out on NAFTA, as U.S. grapples with China over trade," 17 May 2018
Thursday’s series opener against the Cardinals will still present the Padres with another opportunity to be antagonized by a former Padre: Miles Mikolas.

— jeff sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, "First pitch: The return of Miles Mikolas," 10 May 2018
Former Rockets center Dwight Howard was a guest on ESPN's morning show Get Up!, and dropped a quote about his old team that will only antagonize the many Dwight haters in Houston.

— matt young, Houston Chronicle, "Dwight Howard: I don't know if can watch Rockets win a title," 8 May 2018
But the mayor might want to avoid openly antagonizing Luis Gutierrez by opposing his daughter’s candidacy at a time when Emanuel is making a strong push for Hispanic votes in next year's election.

— john byrne, chicagotribune.com, "Gutierrez seeks to tap progressive zeitgeist in aldermanic campaign launch against Emanuel ally," 7 May 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

Definition of antagonize

Examples of antagonize in a Sentence

Recent Examples of antagonize from the Web

Origin and Etymology of antagonize

antagonize Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

ANTAGONIZE Defined for English Language Learners

antagonize

Definition of antagonize for English Language Learners

ANTAGONIZE Defined for Kids

antagonize

Definition of antagonize for Students

Medical Dictionary

antagonize

medical Definition of antagonize

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