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
Still, the relationship never became too antagonistic.
—
Tae Kim, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
However, their early rhetoric is setting an antagonistic tone toward federal workers, which threatens to undermine DOGE’s goals.
—James Broughel, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
The choice of Rubio for secretary of state has already eased concern by top diplomats who feared Trump would pick Ric Grenell, a favorite of the far-right and former U.S. ambassador to Germany, who would have an antagonistic attitude toward the State Department, Politico reported.
—Miami Herald Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024
This approach offers a far less antagonistic pathway to reduce unemployment and bring California in line with national economic benchmarks.
—Bob Stonebrook, The Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2024
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.
Tae Kim, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
However, their early rhetoric is setting an antagonistic tone toward federal workers, which threatens to undermine DOGE’s goals.
—James Broughel, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
The choice of Rubio for secretary of state has already eased concern by top diplomats who feared Trump would pick Ric Grenell, a favorite of the far-right and former U.S. ambassador to Germany, who would have an antagonistic attitude toward the State Department, Politico reported.
—Miami Herald Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024
This approach offers a far less antagonistic pathway to reduce unemployment and bring California in line with national economic benchmarks.
—Bob Stonebrook, The Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2024
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 22 Dec. 2024.
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