Synonyms of antagonistic

antagonistic

adjective

(ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik 

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will

countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hostile
• negative
• adverse
• contentious
• adversarial
• unfavorable
• antipathetic
• conflicting
• opposed
• inimical
• unfriendly
• adversary
• inhospitable
• unpleasant
• unsympathetic
• jaundiced
• militant
• mortal
• belligerent
• combative
• contrary
• malicious
• bellicose
• pugnacious
• icy
• frigid
• resisting
• antisocial
• disagreeable
• quarrelsome
• argumentative
• truculent
• clashing
• distant
• rude
• disputatious
• biased
• hateful
• bitter
• virulent
• disapproving
• spiteful
• unkind
• vindictive
• discourteous
• prejudiced
• cold
• malevolent
• malignant
• scrappy
• acrimonious
• uncivil
• unsociable
• surly
• impolite
• inconsiderate
• unmannerly
• malign
• impertinent
• cool
• rancorous
• opprobrious
• unloving
• ill-mannered
• despiteful
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• friendly
• social
• hospitable
• civil
• amiable
• cordial
• pleasant
• warm
• amicable
• genial
• affable
• gracious
• neighborly
• nonhostile
• convivial
• gregarious
• sociable
• nonantagonistic
• companionable
• loving
• affectionate
• kind
• sweet
• good-natured
• favorable
• devoted
• benign
• kindly
• nice
• agreeable
• comradely
• empathetic
• good-tempered
• accepting
• understanding
• welcoming
• warmhearted
• approving

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of antagonistic

The two groups agreed to start the process of ending the battle and establishing diplomatic ties between the United States and Russia after years of an antagonistic relationship. —Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Feb. 2025

After the antagonistic Mari and Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) get at each other’s throats over dinner, Mari goes for a walk, only to fall into an open pit and dislocate her knee. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025

More broadly, this approach paired with a takedown of U.S. foreign aid and a reflexively antagonistic posture towards longtime allies lays the groundwork for a West that’s increasingly leaving the U.S. behind, dismissing us as isolated and irrelevant. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025

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