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 India, the host, wants the summit to accomplish as much as possible without antagonizing the United States. — Ian Bremmer, Time, 11 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for antagonize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize

Verb

Trip isn’t the standout role, but Keery handles the character’s exasperated monologues with panache, turning self-defense and infuriated straight-talk into acts of exhilarating sanity.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Cummings said that in January 2021, a friend of Birchmore’s called Stoughton police and told a dispatcher about the illicit relationship, infuriating Farwell.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

They were enraged at the way the current administration had decimated progressive policies toward children, women, people of color, gay people and transgender people.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
The administration removed hundreds of trees from the East Potomac Golf Links over the weekend, enraging the judge.

— Julia Boehning, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of enrage

Verb

Data center demand began driving up electric bills last year across a 13-state electricity grid stretching from Illinois to New Jersey and Maryland, angering ratepayers.

— Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Indeed, the survey showed that use of the horn is the most common action when drivers consider another driver to be annoying or angering them.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

Trump has dished out payments as elections approach However, many voters are already embittered by his economic leadership.

— Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of antagonize

verb

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