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
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
After the antagonistic exchange between the two heads of state, 46% of Ukrainians still believe that the country could continue resisting Russian aggression even if American support stops, with 36% doubting this view.
—
Katya Soldak, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Guy Pearce is an antagonistic delight wielding passive-aggressive hostility as the main character’s benefactor, and Felicity Jones, as the architect’s loyal wife, is the heart of the piece who steps up when her spouse can’t.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
The company, which makes energy-efficient products for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, has lost momentum amid President Donald Trump’s antagonistic stance on climate solutions and green investments.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
Since 2019, American politicians, especially those in Congress, have pushed for a flurry of antagonistic policies that have created an atmosphere of hostility toward China.
—Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
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Katya Soldak, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Guy Pearce is an antagonistic delight wielding passive-aggressive hostility as the main character’s benefactor, and Felicity Jones, as the architect’s loyal wife, is the heart of the piece who steps up when her spouse can’t.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
The company, which makes energy-efficient products for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, has lost momentum amid President Donald Trump’s antagonistic stance on climate solutions and green investments.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
Since 2019, American politicians, especially those in Congress, have pushed for a flurry of antagonistic policies that have created an atmosphere of hostility toward China.
—Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
Cite this Entry
“Antagonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonistic. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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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
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