as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries
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Recent Examples of antagonistic
Serkis will return to his role of the antagonistic creature Gollum, around whom the film centers.
—
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Marius’ character was a bit of a plot twist, being one of the more openly antagonistic characters, in the beginning, at least.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, even when she’s supposed to play the most antagonistic female archetype, Darlene is simply too much of a mood and a vibe, and her fundamentally anti-Karen nature is good for TV but bad for the judging criteria in this challenge.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
In a separate text to Tharpe, Jay linked antagonistic stan culture to the ascension of the far-right.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Marius’ character was a bit of a plot twist, being one of the more openly antagonistic characters, in the beginning, at least.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, even when she’s supposed to play the most antagonistic female archetype, Darlene is simply too much of a mood and a vibe, and her fundamentally anti-Karen nature is good for TV but bad for the judging criteria in this challenge.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
In a separate text to Tharpe, Jay linked antagonistic stan culture to the ascension of the far-right.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonistic
Adjective
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Women, people of color, and first-generation professionals were too often told their accurate perceptions of hostile environments were merely internal distortions.—
Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
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Others, like Michael (Doon Mackichan), seem openly hostile.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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However, Chloe later admitted that, despite their best efforts, her parents’ divorce — and the rumors and publicity surrounding it — did have a negative effect on her.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
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So none of the negative press circling around him manifested as a problem in your working relationship?—
Zak Cheney-Rice,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Antagonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonistic. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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