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
Synonyms
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
The long-time TV veteran, who got her start on Days of Our Lives (1989–1990), maintained a recurring part as dominatrix Lady Heather on CSI (2001–2011) and later booked another meaty antagonistic role in Nikita (2010–2013).
—
Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Eventually, the soldiers are accompanied by antagonistic settlers looking to impose their will through violence.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
Johnson, who has struggled with questioning from reporters at times, will need to maintain a strong front against antagonistic partisans on Capitol Hill.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
Following the suits, Lively and Baldoni both engaged in extensive antagonistic publicity campaigns, which reached a new level on Saturday when one of Baldoni’s lawyers created an entire website to tell his side of the story.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 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.
Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Eventually, the soldiers are accompanied by antagonistic settlers looking to impose their will through violence.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
Johnson, who has struggled with questioning from reporters at times, will need to maintain a strong front against antagonistic partisans on Capitol Hill.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
Following the suits, Lively and Baldoni both engaged in extensive antagonistic publicity campaigns, which reached a new level on Saturday when one of Baldoni’s lawyers created an entire website to tell his side of the story.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for antagonistic
Dictionary Entries Near antagonistic
Cite this Entry
“Antagonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonistic. Accessed 16 Feb. 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