antagonize

verb

an·​tag·​o·​nize an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz How to pronounce antagonize (audio)
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

Examples of antagonize in a Sentence

He didn't mean to antagonize you. Her comments antagonized many people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of antagonize was circa 1742

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonize. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

antagonize

verb
an·​tag·​o·​nize an-ˈtag-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce antagonize (audio)
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 atropineErnest Bueding & Harry Most

More from Merriam-Webster on antagonize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!