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 bill intends to take away some of the policing power from the Securities and Exchange Commission, widely considered as Wall Street's cop — but which had antagonized the crypto sector under the Biden administration.
—Rafael Nam, NPR, 19 July 2025
Wish-casting a better result for a confrontation in a different place, Vindman suppresses how much and how often America antagonized Russia through its idealist actions, rather than realist inaction.
—Samuel Moyn, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
With Mexico also being subject to U.S. tariffs, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has antagonized Trump but done so in a way that has earned Trump’s favor.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2025
Oh, Caitlin can clap at ya now, Caitlin can antagonize ya now.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
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Rafael Nam, NPR, 19 July 2025
Wish-casting a better result for a confrontation in a different place, Vindman suppresses how much and how often America antagonized Russia through its idealist actions, rather than realist inaction.
—Samuel Moyn, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
With Mexico also being subject to U.S. tariffs, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has antagonized Trump but done so in a way that has earned Trump’s favor.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2025
Oh, Caitlin can clap at ya now, Caitlin can antagonize ya now.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 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 23 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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