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
The White House, which has reversed initiatives supporting LGBTQ+ people, particularly those who are transgender, has shown a willingness to hammer corporations that antagonize it.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 7 May 2025
Why are Republicans antagonizing a Republican governor? DeSantis hasn’t enjoyed the scrutiny from his fellow Republicans.
—Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 1 May 2025
Many international trips are booked months in advance, and can be hard to cancel, and so even a traveller who feels antagonized by U.S. policies may in the end get on a plane anyway.
—Josh Holder, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
His reign was not perfect, and his liberal creed antagonized enough conservative Catholics that a counter-movement has emerged in the U.S., complete with its own conferences, private schools and publications.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
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Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 7 May 2025
Why are Republicans antagonizing a Republican governor? DeSantis hasn’t enjoyed the scrutiny from his fellow Republicans.
—Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 1 May 2025
Many international trips are booked months in advance, and can be hard to cancel, and so even a traveller who feels antagonized by U.S. policies may in the end get on a plane anyway.
—Josh Holder, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
His reign was not perfect, and his liberal creed antagonized enough conservative Catholics that a counter-movement has emerged in the U.S., complete with its own conferences, private schools and publications.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 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 14 May. 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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