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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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 Hughes ran up to multiple people, attempting to scare and antagonize them, police said. — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 The government continues to fiercely prosecutes its critics, barring Cubans who antagonize the communist regime from the pool of potential investors. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 Jimmy Tatro will play Gorilla Grodd, the hyper-intelligent ape from Gorilla City who typically antagonizes the Flash. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 While the competition ignited the box office in a world-class example of counterprogramming, the move was seen as baiting and antagonizing the director. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for antagonize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize

Verb

Some administration officials argue that Washington is merely trying to avoid unnecessarily infuriating Beijing.

— David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026
Some descendants worry that the new research from Kurin and his colleagues will only infuriate die-hard Jefferson apologists further.

— Andrew Lawler, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

Counsel was enraged that his gambit was foiled by one jury holdout on the insanity argument.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
That day in August, the woman was awakened by Ross, who was enraged by a photo she was tagged in on Instagram, according to Ross’ arrest report.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of enrage

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 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of antagonize

verb

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