Definition of antagonize
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
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Examples of antagonize in a Sentence
He didn't mean to antagonize you.
Her comments antagonized many people.
Recent Examples of antagonize from the Web
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Their openly avowed strategy is to antagonize ordinary people and start fights in the name of ‘
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But Trump decided such a move would antagonize Palestinians who want part of the city for their future state and would damage prospects for peace in the region, an administration official said.
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That's when the neighbor kept putting his arms out antagonizing the dog.
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Unlike Zawahiri, Hamza bin Laden has eschewed overt criticism of the Islamic State, perhaps to avoid antagonizing any followers of that terrorist group who might be inclined to shift to al-Qaida.
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Unlike Zawahiri, Hamza bin Laden has eschewed overt criticism of the Islamic State, perhaps to avoid antagonizing any followers of that terrorist group who might be inclined to shift to al-Qaeda.
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Google has a growing federal business, including contracts with the Defense Department, and antagonizing your customer is never a good idea.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antagonize'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of antagonize
Greek antagōnizesthai, from anti- + agōnizesthai to struggle, from agōn contest — more at agony
First Known Use: circa 1742
ANTAGONIZE Defined for English Language Learners
antagonize
playDefinition of antagonize for English Language Learners
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: to cause (someone) to feel hostile or angry : to irritate or upset (someone)
ANTAGONIZE Defined for Kids
antagonize
playDefinition of antagonize for Students
antagonized
;antagonizing
: to stir up dislike or anger in The bully antagonizes younger kids.
Medical Dictionary
antagonize
Medical Definition of antagonize
antagonized
also Britishantagonised
;antagonizing
also Britishantagonising
: to act in antagonism to : counteract these effects are antagonized by atropine—Ernest Bueding & Harry Most
Learn More about antagonize
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See words that rhyme with antagonize Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for antagonize Spanish Central: Translation of antagonize Nglish: Translation of antagonize for Spanish speakers
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