as in to infuriate
to implant bitter feelings in
everything he said just antagonized the other side even more
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of antagonize
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
Another passenger pressed the train's call button, antagonizing one of the people fighting.
—Monica Eng, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
But rather than strengthen and harness the power of Western economies, the first Trump administration and then the Biden administration sometimes actively antagonized them, including with tariffs that have strained relationships with allies and tested the patience of American consumers.
—Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
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
Another passenger pressed the train's call button, antagonizing one of the people fighting.
—Monica Eng, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
But rather than strengthen and harness the power of Western economies, the first Trump administration and then the Biden administration sometimes actively antagonized them, including with tariffs that have strained relationships with allies and tested the patience of American consumers.
—Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
-
On Saturday, Hamas filmed two hostages who were forced to watch the release of others, turning to a camera and begging to be released, in yet another public spectacle that infuriated Israel.—
Joseph Krauss,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
-
And what answers can Howe belatedly unearth to arrest Newcastle’s infuriating inconsistency?—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
That decision immediately enraged Venezuelans in South Florida who have temporary protections from deportation, who now fear they will be sent back to a nation that has suffered economic collapse under Maduro’s authoritarian rule.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2025
-
During a town hall meeting on Thursday, Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) met with hundreds of attendees enraged over his support for DOGE, which is run by Trump appointee Elon Musk.—
Emily Hallas,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The meeting angered Democrats, who were horrified by Trump and Vice President Vance's conduct.—
Andrew Solender,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The brand also angered left-leaning customers because of its conciliatory response to right-wing attacks.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Beginning in the wake of Toby Fleishman’s divorce, the series appears at first to be very uncomplicated, with the angry, embittered Toby (Jesse Eisenberg) rebounding his way through New York City while ranting about his workaholic ex-wife, Rachel (Claire Danes).—
Lindsay Kusiak,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 June 2023
-
But with Republicans gaining control of the House and governor’s mansion the following year, that effort has since gone nowhere — embittering some unions against those who blocked it.—
Antonio Olivo,
Washington Post,
9 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share