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
People from Maldonado’s group began antagonizing Jaquez’s group about not fully paying for their beer, according to the affidavit.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
McPhatter berated the man and threw him against a patrol car twice, and when the man antagonized McPhatter from the back seat of his police cruiser, the cop reached back and grabbed the glasses off his face, prosecutors allege.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
During the hearing, Republicans on the committee questioned agency leaders about the role of protestors antagonizing and threatening agents, as well as the rhetoric and decision-making of local leaders.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Whether to avoid antagonizing potential donors or boxing themselves in as too far to the political left, some candidates, including Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell have largely avoided taking a hard and fast stance to this point.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
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Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
McPhatter berated the man and threw him against a patrol car twice, and when the man antagonized McPhatter from the back seat of his police cruiser, the cop reached back and grabbed the glasses off his face, prosecutors allege.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
During the hearing, Republicans on the committee questioned agency leaders about the role of protestors antagonizing and threatening agents, as well as the rhetoric and decision-making of local leaders.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Whether to avoid antagonizing potential donors or boxing themselves in as too far to the political left, some candidates, including Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell have largely avoided taking a hard and fast stance to this point.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonize. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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
