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 MedicineExamples of antagonize in a Sentence
He didn't mean to antagonize you.
Her comments antagonized many people.
Recent Examples on the Web
In a brief Instagram post, 50 Cent — who has decades-long beef with Combs and repeatedly antagonized him over the course of the trial — joked about the Bad Boy Records founder being acquitted of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 July 2025
For their part, the Saudis might prefer not to antagonize the Iranian government given the recent rapprochement between the two or out a desire to avoid antagonizing a nuclear-armed neighbor.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Thailand’s armed forces have long played a powerful role in the kingdom’s politics, and politicians are usually careful not to antagonize them.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Beijing, which said in February that the deals were not intended to antagonize New Zealand, defended its partnership with the country of 15 islands and 15,000 people.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
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Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 July 2025
For their part, the Saudis might prefer not to antagonize the Iranian government given the recent rapprochement between the two or out a desire to avoid antagonizing a nuclear-armed neighbor.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Thailand’s armed forces have long played a powerful role in the kingdom’s politics, and politicians are usually careful not to antagonize them.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Beijing, which said in February that the deals were not intended to antagonize New Zealand, defended its partnership with the country of 15 islands and 15,000 people.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonize. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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