Synonyms of antagonistic

antagonistic

adjective

(ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik 

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will

countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hostile
• negative
• adverse
• contentious
• adversarial
• unfavorable
• antipathetic
• conflicting
• opposed
• inimical
• unfriendly
• adversary
• inhospitable
• unpleasant
• unsympathetic
• jaundiced
• militant
• mortal
• belligerent
• combative
• contrary
• malicious
• bellicose
• pugnacious
• icy
• frigid
• resisting
• antisocial
• disagreeable
• quarrelsome
• argumentative
• truculent
• clashing
• distant
• rude
• disputatious
• biased
• hateful
• bitter
• virulent
• disapproving
• spiteful
• unkind
• vindictive
• discourteous
• prejudiced
• cold
• malevolent
• malignant
• scrappy
• acrimonious
• uncivil
• unsociable
• surly
• impolite
• inconsiderate
• unmannerly
• malign
• impertinent
• cool
• rancorous
• opprobrious
• unloving
• ill-mannered
• despiteful
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• friendly
• social
• hospitable
• civil
• amiable
• cordial
• pleasant
• warm
• amicable
• genial
• affable
• gracious
• neighborly
• nonhostile
• convivial
• gregarious
• sociable
• nonantagonistic
• companionable
• loving
• affectionate
• kind
• sweet
• good-natured
• favorable
• devoted
• benign
• kindly
• nice
• agreeable
• comradely
• empathetic
• good-tempered
• accepting
• understanding
• welcoming
• warmhearted
• approving

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of antagonistic

One of the ways Fernandez would display it was by targeting ex-Chelsea players on the pitch, being antagonistic and winding them up, and fans loved him for it. — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Faced with the dominion of the identical copy, some modern artists chose to celebrate it; others took a more critical, even antagonistic stance. — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

In Central America, for example, ants feed on acacia trees, a relationship that, at first glance, appeared purely antagonistic. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

The tension, twitchiness, and turmoil of vintage no wave remain; the bitter misanthropy, however, has been jettisoned in favor of something brighter and less antagonistic, if not exactly sweet. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 20 Aug. 2026