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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of antagonize
The pivot would essentially force Trump to pick between two competing desires: his desire to avoid antagonizing Putin against his wish to bring in more cash for the U.S. via the sale of big-ticket defense items.
—
Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 24 May 2025
Some contend that diplomatic pressure—along with military restraint, to avoid antagonizing China—will keep Beijing at bay.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
Yet the fact these lawmakers would only share these thoughts without their names attached shows how much Democrats still fear antagonizing their liberal base.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
In the initial exchange, Charlamagne was antagonizing Nelly about his music.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 24 May 2025
Some contend that diplomatic pressure—along with military restraint, to avoid antagonizing China—will keep Beijing at bay.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
Yet the fact these lawmakers would only share these thoughts without their names attached shows how much Democrats still fear antagonizing their liberal base.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
In the initial exchange, Charlamagne was antagonizing Nelly about his music.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
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Trump left Washington in January 2021 infuriated with Netanyahu, bitter that the Israeli leader had backed out of a planned joint operation to assassinate an Iranian general and had congratulated Joe Biden on his election victory.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
8 July 2025
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But his veto of an affordable housing bill that had been drafted largely to his specifications infuriated lawmakers.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
26 June 2025
Verb
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The borderline third-strike call enraged Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, who erupted from the dugout and was quickly ejected for arguing.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
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Massie enraged the president by opposing Trump's continuing resolution that would keep the government operating.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Topline Attorney General Pam Bondi has become the chief lightning rod for those on the right angered by the Department of Justice’s lack of new information regarding disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein—a subject of extensive right-wing conspiracies—with some calling for her firing.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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But many of the Blues’ outings have been unpleasant because of high temperatures and storms, and six games across the tournament have been paused for poor weather conditions, angering manager Enzo Maresca.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Domestic and regional actors often manipulate aid deliveries, creating a skewed economy that leaves some people embittered and others emboldened.—
Maha Yahya,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Feb. 2025
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Many people feel frustrated — embittered by what some view as an overly cautious approach by the Biden administration, and having endured months of delays in receiving American military assistance last year after it was held up in Congress.—
Marc Santora,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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