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

Moreover, Saudi Arabia may have very little inclination to antagonize Iran, as shown by the cordial reception given to Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, by Arab states—including Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, and Oman, as well as Saudi Arabia. —Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2024

Police said Williams was antagonizing the women with seven other teenage males who were waving Trump flags. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

With deep self-reflection and a willingness to work on their vulnerabilities and antagonizing qualities, narcissists can learn to shift their focus to genuine connection. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

If the longshoremen’s strike drags on long enough and causes shortages that antagonize American consumers, pressure could grow on Biden to change course and intervene. —Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2024

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