as in provoking
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as in angering
to implant bitter feelings in
everything he said just antagonized the other side even more
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Recent Examples of antagonizing
Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Monster mother-in-law Andrew's adoring, uptight mother, Evelyn (Elizabeth Perkins), has a more prominent role in the film than in the book, further antagonizing Nina while also providing a deeper backstory for Andrew.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025
See photos of Brooks' antagonizing style of play in action.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Vance is now tasked with the job of threading the needle; forcefully supporting and defending the administration's policies in the media while not antagonizing swing voters away from the GOP column in three years.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Gizelle, to her nominal credit, offers an apology for antagonizing Monique during such a sensitive time.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
But Modi will navigate a balancing act to avoid antagonizing Washington in the midst of delicate trade negotiations.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 3 Dec. 2025
Family members told deputies they were frustrated because Crump had been antagonizing others in the home, though officers said no crime had occurred.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
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
Monster mother-in-law Andrew's adoring, uptight mother, Evelyn (Elizabeth Perkins), has a more prominent role in the film than in the book, further antagonizing Nina while also providing a deeper backstory for Andrew.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025
See photos of Brooks' antagonizing style of play in action.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Vance is now tasked with the job of threading the needle; forcefully supporting and defending the administration's policies in the media while not antagonizing swing voters away from the GOP column in three years.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Gizelle, to her nominal credit, offers an apology for antagonizing Monique during such a sensitive time.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
But Modi will navigate a balancing act to avoid antagonizing Washington in the midst of delicate trade negotiations.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 3 Dec. 2025
Family members told deputies they were frustrated because Crump had been antagonizing others in the home, though officers said no crime had occurred.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonizing
Adjective
-
Collections and designers put their best foot forward, delivering high-caliber collections — some were uplifting, others were thought-provoking, most were both.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But the arithmetic exercise is thought-provoking, nonetheless.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But when the new terminal opened, the historic plane did not make the move, angering aviation enthusiasts.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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What’s more, all that accomplishes is annoying and angering the driver who is being tailgated.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
To secure a death sentence in Utah, prosecutors must demonstrate aggravating circumstances, such as that the crime was especially heinous or atrocious.—
Matthew Brown,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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Of all the novelty prop bets offered for the Super Bowl, the color of the Gatorade bath is by far the most aggravating.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Talking about a movie, good or bad, is free marketing, and Fennell seems to understand better than most that enraging potential ticket-holders is a promotional strategy.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
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Hulu This startling three-part docuseries tells the unfortunate, enraging story of Larry Ray.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
However, the antioxidant properties in sulfites can be beneficial and safe to consume for those who don’t experience an inflammatory response.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
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For folks with highly sensitive digestive tracts, like those with inflammatory bowl disease or irritable bowel syndrome, prebiotic sodas may have a greater impact.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The gesture provoked a seismic reaction internationally while infuriating Olympic officials who claimed Smith and Carlos used the world stage to humiliate their home country.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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Seeing Sparkle cry about Landfair’s experience — something that Landfair hadn’t fully come to terms with — was discombobulating and infuriating.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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There is nothing more annoying than corners coming undone mid-sleep.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
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One layer gives me all-over, medium-to-full coverage, a few additional dots to my cheeks and chin cover up the annoying splotchiness that's showed up on my skin recently.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Playing a thinly disguised version of himself, Reynolds is, as Schneeberger and Neibaur point out, funny, exasperating, and moving, and Rifkin’s impeccable tailoring of the role to fit his star gives Reynolds a wonderful summation with which to end his career.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2026
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The process to get the story on the air has been exasperating.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Antagonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonizing. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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