antagonistic
adjective
an·tag·o·nis·tic
(ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik 
: showing dislike or opposition : marked by or resulting from antagonism
an antagonistic relationship
factions antagonistic to one another
Examples of antagonistic in a Sentence
They found it impossible to deal with such antagonistic groups.
countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, the antagonistic alien brute Captain Gantu is left out.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 May 2025
In Nine Perfect Strangers, tension emerges from the slightly antagonistic forces that both revere and challenge Masha’s notions.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 May 2025
Issues like gender equality, racial justice and environmentalism remain central, but the rhetoric surrounding men has often become antagonistic.
—Nafees Alam, Boston Herald, 19 May 2025
But wary of Washington’s unpredictability and antagonistic behavior—and conscious of the opportunities that reality is creating—the EU is preparing to take its future into its own hands.
—Arancha González Laya, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
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.
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 May 2025
In Nine Perfect Strangers, tension emerges from the slightly antagonistic forces that both revere and challenge Masha’s notions.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 May 2025
Issues like gender equality, racial justice and environmentalism remain central, but the rhetoric surrounding men has often become antagonistic.
—Nafees Alam, Boston Herald, 19 May 2025
But wary of Washington’s unpredictability and antagonistic behavior—and conscious of the opportunities that reality is creating—the EU is preparing to take its future into its own hands.
—Arancha González Laya, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
Cite this Entry
“Antagonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonistic. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
antagonistic
adjective
an·tag·o·nis·tic
(ˌ)an-ˌtag-ə-ˈnis-tik
1
: characterized by or resulting from antagonism
antagonistic antibiotics
2
: relating to or being muscles that are antagonists
skeletal muscles arranged in antagonistic pairs
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share