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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Williams was among a group of teens who showed up outside the Beaches Branch Library in Neptune Beach where early voting was taking place Tuesday afternoon and antagonized the sign wavers, Key said. Amanda Musa, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024 Since then, Musk has publicly criticized both the commission and antagonized its former head, Thierry Breton, who spearheaded the investigation into X before resigning this September. Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2024 The years-long ordeal saw Megan being constantly antagonized by the public and industry figures, alike. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2024 The compensation vote pitted those who regard Mr. Musk as a genius who has revolutionized the auto industry against those antagonized by his polarizing statements on X and recent slumps in Tesla sales and earnings. Peter Eavis, New York Times, 13 June 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near antagonize

Cite this Entry

“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonize. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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

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