antagonize
verb
an·tag·o·nize
an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz 
antagonized; antagonizing
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
Scientific American MedicineExamples of antagonize in a Sentence
He didn't mean to antagonize you.
Her comments antagonized many people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Countries like Ukraine wanted to be in NATO not to antagonize Russia, but to shield themselves from it.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
These notions of nonconformity antagonized directly by various religious leaders, while the Civil War (1642–51) irreparably shook the British monolith.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Beyond the economic threats, Trump has repeatedly antagonized and belittled historic partners, notably the one with which the U.S. shares a 5,500-mile (8,900-kilometer) border.
—Time, 28 Mar. 2025
Other fans have been openly antagonizing the hockey gods with ideas for the most Team Chaos-worthy way the record could fall.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
These notions of nonconformity antagonized directly by various religious leaders, while the Civil War (1642–51) irreparably shook the British monolith.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Beyond the economic threats, Trump has repeatedly antagonized and belittled historic partners, notably the one with which the U.S. shares a 5,500-mile (8,900-kilometer) border.
—Time, 28 Mar. 2025
Other fans have been openly antagonizing the hockey gods with ideas for the most Team Chaos-worthy way the record could fall.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonize. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
antagonize
verb
an·tag·o·nize
an-ˈtag-ə-ˌnīz
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 atropine—Ernest Bueding & Harry Most
Ernest Bueding & Harry MostLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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