antagonize
verb
an·tag·o·nize
an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz 
antagonized; antagonizing
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
Scientific American Medicine
Examples of antagonize in a Sentence
He didn't mean to antagonize you.
Her comments antagonized many people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rangers fans loved him for hitting home runs from one knee, for getting into playful on-field fights with teammate Elvis Andrus, and for antagonizing umpires by dragging the on-deck circle.
—Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 22 July 2024
The Kremlin did not exactly direct Finnish foreign policy, but lawmakers in Helsinki were careful not to antagonize Moscow.
—Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2024
That was intentional, Ginther said at a news conference Tuesday, to avoid antagonizing the hackers.
—Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 16 Aug. 2024
Tabloid photographers would shout at her, try to antagonize her into a response.
—Jason Sheeler, Peoplemag, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for antagonize 
Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 22 July 2024
The Kremlin did not exactly direct Finnish foreign policy, but lawmakers in Helsinki were careful not to antagonize Moscow.
—Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2024
That was intentional, Ginther said at a news conference Tuesday, to avoid antagonizing the hackers.
—Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 16 Aug. 2024
Tabloid photographers would shout at her, try to antagonize her into a response.
—Jason Sheeler, Peoplemag, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for antagonize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antagonize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near antagonize
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonize. Accessed 8 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
antagonized also British antagonised; antagonizing also British antagonising
: to act in antagonism to : counteract
these effects are antagonized by atropine—Ernest Bueding & Harry Most
Ernest Bueding & Harry MostLove words? Need even more definitions?
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