as in to infuriate
to implant bitter feelings in
everything he said just antagonized the other side even more
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Recent Examples of antagonize
Paying clients knew how vindictive Trump could be and didn’t want to antagonize him, even if no one imagined that a tactic quite as effective as the executive orders would soon be deployed.
—
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
The announcement of Prevost as the first American to be named pope comes at a tense time for European-American relations, as the Trump administration is moving to isolate the United States and, in some cases, antagonize its traditional allies.
—Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Her explosive personality and underhand tactics constantly antagonize Jenny, a down-to-earth woman who’s more or less content staying in her small hometown despite often being treated like an outsider.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
His main target is China, yet his go-it-alone approach led him to antagonize friendly countries that could help in a collective effort to isolate China.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
The announcement of Prevost as the first American to be named pope comes at a tense time for European-American relations, as the Trump administration is moving to isolate the United States and, in some cases, antagonize its traditional allies.
—Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Her explosive personality and underhand tactics constantly antagonize Jenny, a down-to-earth woman who’s more or less content staying in her small hometown despite often being treated like an outsider.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
His main target is China, yet his go-it-alone approach led him to antagonize friendly countries that could help in a collective effort to isolate China.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
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The Democrats’ response to the frenzy of executive actions has infuriated the party’s liberal base, which loudly accused Democratic leaders of failing to push back against an aggressive White House in ways that meet the urgency of the moment.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
1 June 2025
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Navigating through these help desk mazes can be infuriating and time consuming.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Summer schedules since have been filled with other shows like Big Brother, Love Island USA, and various iterations of The Bachelor franchise keeping viewers entertained and/or enraged ever since.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
31 May 2025
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Market volatility has enraged Democrats and worried many Republicans as the country experiences whiplash from tariff announcements, leaving many people worried about their finances.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2025
Verb
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The move, which the governor said was necessary to increase collaboration and mentorship among civil servants, angered state workers and the labor groups representing them.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2025
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Additionally, reports had indicated that President Xi was angered over the transaction since Hutchison did not ask for approval of the deal in advance.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
3 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 12 Jun. 2025.
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