as in to infuriate
to implant bitter feelings in
everything he said just antagonized the other side even more
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Recent Examples of antagonize
In an early, antagonizing move during the dedicated two-week budget conference that began Tuesday, the Republican House lawmaker investigating Hope Florida is proposing to cut millions from its state funding.
—
Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
According to this report, there’s concern about an AI companion named Bad Rudy, who is described as vulgar and antagonizing, and an AI companion named Ani, who is described as willing to shed her clothing.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
According to this report, there’s concern about an AI companion named Bad Rudy, who is described as vulgar and antagonizing, and an AI companion named Ani, who is described as willing to shed her clothing.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
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Humorists can infuriate the checkers, who recognize that even funny nonfiction has to be completely real; it’s held to the same standard as anything else.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
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Some worked on matters that have long infuriated Trump, like the intelligence community assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election on his behalf.—
Eric Tucker,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That, however, might send the yuan tumbling in ways that enrage Trump.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Chair Jerome Powell has warned that worsening inflation could keep the Fed on the sidelines — a stance that has enraged Trump, who has defied traditional norms of central bank independence and demanded lower borrowing costs.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In fact, Martineau’s sign angered plenty of Democrats, some of whom were already worried that smug liberal activists are harming the party.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired a general whose agency’s initial intelligence assessment of damage to Iranian nuclear sites from U.S. strikes angered President Donald Trump, according to two people familiar with the decision and a White House official.—
Konstantin Toropin,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Domestic and regional actors often manipulate aid deliveries, creating a skewed economy that leaves some people embittered and others emboldened.—
Maha Yahya,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Feb. 2025
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Many people feel frustrated — embittered by what some view as an overly cautious approach by the Biden administration, and having endured months of delays in receiving American military assistance last year after it was held up in Congress.—
Marc Santora,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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