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 The reference to Jerry Springer, a show where guests routinely antagonized the audience and attempted to assault one another on stage, hardly fits de Matteo’s goal of a mutually respectful forum that strengthens community. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 For employers, this dynamic only further antagonizes an already tight labor market. Liz Perlman, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Making a complaint of any kind would be to antagonize a limited set of employers in a highly competitive industry. Chris Deubert, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 And this arrangement would have suited everyone if Poland hadn’t so recklessly antagonized Hitler in the 1930s. Noah Rothman, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024 For The Telegraph to antagonize Mr. Sunak while his ministers are reviewing the sale of the paper struck some observers as puzzling. Mark Landler, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2024 This year, more than most, insiders are venting (privately, for fear of antagonizing voters) about the choices and the process by which they’re made. Jon Burlingame, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 One that is now antagonizing a famous Black family during Black History Month. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 In a campaign exposed by Graphika last month, an account known on various social media platforms as Agitate Taiwan posted short videos on TikTok and YouTube that criticized candidates and policies of parties other than the KMT, which antagonizes the mainland less. Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antagonize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near antagonize

Cite this Entry

“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonize. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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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