ANTAGONIZE Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

antagonize

verb

an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz

Definition of antagonize

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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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 Hathaway’s style of play — gritty, aggressive, antagonizing — fits the mold that those former teammates have carried over to Florida. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026 On Monday against the Phoenix Mercury, Clark spent the game peeved at the officials and picked up her fifth technical after clapping in an antagonizing manner toward a rival. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026 Trump first began antagonizing Senate Republicans last month by endorsing challenges to two of their own incumbents. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 24 June 2026 Investor Michael Burry—of Big Short fame—considered antagonizing the richest man on the planet over the IPO of his latest company. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for antagonize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize

Verb

Sami Zayn, who had recently lost the title, was visibly infuriated by Owens' unexpected return and victory, even injuring Owens' neck during the intense bout.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
That infuriated Angels fans, of course, since their team has baseball’s longest playoff drought — 12 years, counting this one.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

Fauci pleaded the Fifth a number of times, which appears to have enraged a lot of people.

— Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
The only reliable way to reach mainstream or even moderate recognition against all the noise is to either carpet-bomb social media with clips or to enrage wide swaths of the public.

— Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 30 July 2026

Definition of enrage

Verb

The receptionist angers Kripke and Bert so much that they are picked up by the police — along with Stuart, who had also been arrested.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 31 July 2026
The strategy has also angered China, which has demanded that Manila rein in the Coast Guard spokesman who leads it.

— Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

The original vision for Base is in tatters and much of the project now looks like a costly distraction that has embittered numerous users, and forced Coinbase to play catch-up to ascendant crypto powerhouses like Hyperliquid and Robinhood.

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 July 2026
Alito came out a winner, but still embittered.

— Peter S. Canellos, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026

Definition of embitter

Browse Nearby Words

antagonists

antagonize

antagonized

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“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of antagonize

verb

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