antagonize

verb

an·​tag·​o·​nize an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz 

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

Synonyms

• embitter
• empoison
• envenom

Examples of antagonize in a Sentence

He didn't mean to antagonize you.

Her comments antagonized many people.

Recent Examples on the Web

Francis has tried to steer a diplomatic tightrope in not antagonizing Moscow, consistent with the Vatican's tradition of diplomatic neutrality in conflicts. —Nicole Winfield and Saruul Enkhbold, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2023

Israel has maintained working relations with Russia throughout the war in Ukraine and has repeatedly rebuffed requests to sell arms to Kyiv for fear of antagonizing Moscow. —Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 17 Aug. 2023

Advertisement Alford has published several videos of him antagonizing people at pride events, including LGBTQ-friendly churches. —Michael Williams, Dallas News, 24 July 2023

The answer will antagonize countless Italian Americans, which is certainly not the intention of Miss Manners. —Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 10 July 2023

Since last Thursday, when Mike Locksley proclaimed during Big Ten media day that the Terps can contend for a conference title, the coach’s comment has antagonized some corners of the college football community and galvanized others. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2023

Yes, if the result is going to be antagonizing all the couple’s friends. —Miss Manners | Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 4 June 2023

Seoul, which is reluctant to openly antagonize Moscow, has declined to send lethal aid and has imposed strict export control rules on its global weapons sales. —Cassandra Vinograd, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2023

The answer will antagonize countless Italian Americans, which is certainly not Miss Manners’ intention. —Miss Manners | Judith Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 11 July 2023

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1742, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

antagonize

verb

an·​tag·​o·​nize an-ˈtag-ə-ˌnīz 

antagonized; antagonizing

: to stir up dislike or anger in

Medical Definition

antagonize

transitive verb

an·​tag·​o·​nize

variants also British antagonise

an-ˈtag-ə-ˌnīz 

antagonized also British antagonised; antagonizing also British antagonising

: to act in antagonism to : counteract

these effects are antagonized by atropine

—Ernest Bueding & Harry Most