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
Whether to avoid antagonizing potential donors or boxing themselves in as too far to the political left, some candidates, including Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell have largely avoided taking a hard and fast stance to this point.
—
Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
How to commemorate a religious sect that was unique, tolerant, forward-thinking, unjustly antagonized—but also short-lived, cultish, poorly documented, and fixated on fire and brimstone?
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Israel is still internationally ostracized over its war in Gaza, and by recognizing Somaliland, the country risks antagonizing its regional neighbors and the global community.
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
See photos of Brooks' antagonizing style of play in action.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
How to commemorate a religious sect that was unique, tolerant, forward-thinking, unjustly antagonized—but also short-lived, cultish, poorly documented, and fixated on fire and brimstone?
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Israel is still internationally ostracized over its war in Gaza, and by recognizing Somaliland, the country risks antagonizing its regional neighbors and the global community.
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
See photos of Brooks' antagonizing style of play in action.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
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Raman’s entry into the race, hours before the filing deadline, shocked the city’s political elite and infuriated the mayor’s supporters.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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The dampening atmospherics and massive right field infuriated sluggers such as Barry Bonds, Jeff Bagwell and Albert Pujols.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Coupled with large reductions to downtown trophy buildings and ever-increasing tax levies from local governments, bills that landed late last year enraged many homeowners.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
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Most are evasive, a few are obsequious, many are defiant, a few are enraged, and all appear to feel their lives slipping away under the seemingly boundless force of judicial inquisition.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But every time Trump takes to social media, angered by drug trafficking – or drone incursions, Sheinbaum Pardo has deftly reminded him of their working partnership, Jacobson said.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Here, the situation has changed, leaving many of the gods either hardened or embittered by the conflict.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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