antagonize

verb

an·​tag·​o·​nize an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz How to pronounce antagonize (audio)
antagonized; antagonizing

transitive verb

1
: to incur or provoke the hostility of
His criticism antagonized his friends.
2
: to act in opposition to : counteract
The drug is antagonized by methylxanthines, such as caffeine and theophylline …Scientific American Medicine

Examples of antagonize in a Sentence

He didn't mean to antagonize you. Her comments antagonized many people.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Ankara, for its part, will need to recognize that deepening its ties with the non-Western world in ways that antagonize European allies is not sustainable. Mustafa Kutlay, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2025 Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus was the driving force for getting the officers that antagonized his client fired. Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 The Russian leader's no-show is expected to further antagonize the White House, which has markedly changed its tone over the war in the past weeks. Keir Simmons, NBC news, 15 May 2025 However, before the page was turned from the epic Warriors-Rockets series, Green had some comments about the Rockets' antagonizing forward, Dillon Brooks. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for antagonize

Word History

Etymology

Greek antagōnizesthai, from anti- + agōnizesthai to struggle, from agōn contest — more at agony

First Known Use

circa 1742, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of antagonize was circa 1742

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Cite this Entry

“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonize. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

antagonize

verb
an·​tag·​o·​nize an-ˈtag-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce antagonize (audio)
antagonized; antagonizing
: to stir up dislike or anger in

Medical Definition

antagonize

transitive verb
an·​tag·​o·​nize
variants also British antagonise
antagonized also British antagonised; antagonizing also British antagonising
: to act in antagonism to : counteract
these effects are antagonized by atropineErnest Bueding & Harry Most

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