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
Graham was careful not to antagonize Johnson, who can't afford to lose more than one GOP vote on anything these days.
—Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
Venezuela’s opposition leaders, while careful not to antagonize the Trump administration, could not hide their disappointment.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
Trump’s unconventional foreign policy views and willingness to antagonize allies are also likely to create challenges for intelligence sharing with foreign partners.
—Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025
Indeed, there are cabbies like Joe Fong, 45, who sees no value in antagonizing his customers and has tried to adapt to his passengers’ needs.
—David Pierson, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
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Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
Venezuela’s opposition leaders, while careful not to antagonize the Trump administration, could not hide their disappointment.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
Trump’s unconventional foreign policy views and willingness to antagonize allies are also likely to create challenges for intelligence sharing with foreign partners.
—Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025
Indeed, there are cabbies like Joe Fong, 45, who sees no value in antagonizing his customers and has tried to adapt to his passengers’ needs.
—David Pierson, New York Times, 5 Jan. 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 1 Mar. 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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