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 The thing is Georgia wasn’t antagonizing her (and Ariana tells her as much). — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 July 2026 Wilson, played by understudy Merrill Peiffer on opening night, recurs as a comedic yet antagonizing force throughout the show, making a years-long series of excuses for not promoting women’s suffrage. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 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 See All Example Sentences for antagonize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize

Verb

Sydney Sweeney is no stranger to starring in a controversial ad — and her latest effort has infuriated female athletes, including Olympians.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
But Marcia was beginning to sound like Marcia on the page, Marcia in those essays that both excited and infuriated her readers.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

Marie-Louise is enraged one minute, subservient the next, bullying the staff while throwing banquets for Nazi officials.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The hiring of the Catalan content creator, however, has only served to enrage the public, rather than enticing them to watch the race.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of enrage

Verb

But Trump’s solution, to import 300,000 metric tons of beef and sell it at a reduced cost, angered American ranchers.

— Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Rebecca regrets angering Matthijs (Matteo van der Grijn) after putting his daughter in the middle of a heated discussion around the possibility of Matthijs moving to London.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

Her mother reassured her that wasn’t the case — and instead of being embittered by the encounter, the young Levine began attending a Catholic catechism class to learn more about her Christian neighbors and their beliefs.

— Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
And so Ludwig Wilhelm Sachs, a Königsberg physician and a former member of Ebel’s circle, embittered by his expulsion, intervened.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 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 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of antagonize

verb

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