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
Vincent suggests that companies harnessing the hype around smart tech also antagonized public (mis) understandings of the definitional nuances of artificial intelligence.
—
Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
The suitcase’s contents ranged from meeting notes and a list of ways to antagonize targets (from the use of lizards and snakes to slingshots) to membership lists and charters.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
At a time when many in the business community tried to avoid antagonizing the Chinese government, Lai’s publications ran images that readers often brought to anti-government protests—including one that featured Hong Kong’s leader, Tung Chee-hwa, getting hit in the face with a pie.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
The people briefed on the episode, who declined to be named so as to not antagonize the mayor, argued the backlash raises questions about whether her work should be more closely vetted.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
The suitcase’s contents ranged from meeting notes and a list of ways to antagonize targets (from the use of lizards and snakes to slingshots) to membership lists and charters.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
At a time when many in the business community tried to avoid antagonizing the Chinese government, Lai’s publications ran images that readers often brought to anti-government protests—including one that featured Hong Kong’s leader, Tung Chee-hwa, getting hit in the face with a pie.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
The people briefed on the episode, who declined to be named so as to not antagonize the mayor, argued the backlash raises questions about whether her work should be more closely vetted.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
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Her three opponents have accused her of mismanaging the office, presiding over growing legal payouts and making a series of missteps that infuriated members of the City Council.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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The court struck down that portion of the legislation, a move that infuriated Cindy's family.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Griffin and opponents of Mamdani were enraged.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
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Wave head coach Jonas Eidevall walked off the pitch enraged after being shown a red card 10 minutes before his team suffered a 1-0 loss to Bay FC.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Starmer also has angered supporters with attempts to cut welfare spending, some of which were reversed after Labour revolts.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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Buyers were angered after finding out that the new features would be released later than expected, the filing said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Alito came out a winner, but still embittered.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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