as in to infuriate
to implant bitter feelings in
everything he said just antagonized the other side even more
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of antagonize
The pivot would essentially force Trump to pick between two competing desires: his desire to avoid antagonizing Putin against his wish to bring in more cash for the U.S. via the sale of big-ticket defense items.
—
Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 24 May 2025
Some contend that diplomatic pressure—along with military restraint, to avoid antagonizing China—will keep Beijing at bay.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
Yet the fact these lawmakers would only share these thoughts without their names attached shows how much Democrats still fear antagonizing their liberal base.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
In the initial exchange, Charlamagne was antagonizing Nelly about his music.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 24 May 2025
Some contend that diplomatic pressure—along with military restraint, to avoid antagonizing China—will keep Beijing at bay.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
Yet the fact these lawmakers would only share these thoughts without their names attached shows how much Democrats still fear antagonizing their liberal base.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
In the initial exchange, Charlamagne was antagonizing Nelly about his music.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
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The cost of the wedding has been estimated at up to nearly $50M, infuriating locals and activists who claim Amazon pays minimal taxes in European countries and point to Bezos’ use of his extreme personal wealth to effectively take over parts of the historic city, disrupting daily life.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
26 June 2025
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His unwillingness to compromise made the restaurant unfeasibly expensive to run, infuriating his investor, family friend Uncle Jimmy (a.k.a.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 June 2025
Verb
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The borderline third-strike call enraged Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, who erupted from the dugout and was quickly ejected for arguing.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
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Massie enraged the president by opposing Trump's continuing resolution that would keep the government operating.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Cambodia angered by neighbor’s new restrictions on border crossings PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Cambodia's government on Tuesday accused Thailand of escalating border tensions by imposing new restrictions that have blocked almost all land crossings, especially for tourists heading into Cambodia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 June 2025
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As a mom, I’m angered at the existence of so many abusers who lure children through the internet.—
Nicole Russell,
USA Today,
20 June 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 11 Jul. 2025.
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