as in to infuriate
to implant bitter feelings in
everything he said just antagonized the other side even more
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of antagonize
Tradwifery carries an undercurrent of trolling—a middle finger raised at anyone antagonized by women boasting about catering to their husband’s every whim.
—
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Tollinche allegedly antagonizes people on the social media platform, and neighborhood teens have recently been gathering outside his home, knocking on his door and calling him out, according to police.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Young has continued to antagonize New York fans, including pretending to roll dice on the Knicks logo after a 2024 victory clinched a trip to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
One of the few sane adults left in his administration must have reminded him that antagonizing Catholics is a terrible political move.
—Gustavo Arellano, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Tollinche allegedly antagonizes people on the social media platform, and neighborhood teens have recently been gathering outside his home, knocking on his door and calling him out, according to police.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Young has continued to antagonize New York fans, including pretending to roll dice on the Knicks logo after a 2024 victory clinched a trip to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
One of the few sane adults left in his administration must have reminded him that antagonizing Catholics is a terrible political move.
—Gustavo Arellano, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
-
Union Pacific hasn’t commented publicly on the president’s remarks, but risks infuriating the president by denying them privately to investors all the same.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
-
Those exemptions — and the government stipends many seminary students receive up to the age of 26 — have infuriated many Israelis.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The back-and-forth with the hospital and the insurer enraged Wood.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2026
-
One quick way to enrage a room of people leaders?—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Star forward Sardar Azmoun was dropped in March, reportedly because of a social media post that angered Iranian authorities during the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
-
Butler’s refusal to attend the hearing frustrated and angered several of Sheron’s supporters present for the hearing Wednesday.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Alito came out a winner, but still embittered.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Here, the situation has changed, leaving many of the gods either hardened or embittered by the conflict.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
