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
Wantonly and whimsically, Trump has alienated and antagonized the people whom Reagan and many Americans long considered not only friends, neighbors and allies but kin.
—
Andreas Kluth, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
While avoiding antagonizing the prime minister standing beside him, Rubio stressed the United States does not have a problem with Cuban doctors providing medical assistance to other countries.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, some see Gibney’s upcoming documentary about Musk as a major litmus test for how far the gatekeepers will go to support a film that might antagonize Trump.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Countries like Ukraine wanted to be in NATO not to antagonize Russia, but to shield themselves from it.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Andreas Kluth, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
While avoiding antagonizing the prime minister standing beside him, Rubio stressed the United States does not have a problem with Cuban doctors providing medical assistance to other countries.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, some see Gibney’s upcoming documentary about Musk as a major litmus test for how far the gatekeepers will go to support a film that might antagonize Trump.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Countries like Ukraine wanted to be in NATO not to antagonize Russia, but to shield themselves from it.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
-
Image On the left, the governor’s decision to engage with Mr. Kirk has infuriated Mr. Newsom’s allies.—
Laurel Rosenhall,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
-
For many out-of-network doctors, payments lower than their invoices are an infuriating part of doing business.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Warren was beloved by the Cherry Grove community — by then, the Pines’s more bohemian counterpart — and her rejection enraged many, including Thom Hansen, who performed in drag as Panzi.—
Elyssa Goodman,
Them.,
25 Apr. 2025
-
In the TikTok video that enraged so many of these men, the gimmick is that the executives are participating in a girly TikTok trend within the confines of their office.—
Constance Grady,
Vox,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This week, President Donald Trump froze $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard University, angering members of the Elbow Patch Mafia around America.—
Christian Schneider,
National Review,
17 Apr. 2025
-
That meeting angered Israeli officials, and reportedly Dermer in particular.—
Alex Marquardt,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Domestic and regional actors often manipulate aid deliveries, creating a skewed economy that leaves some people embittered and others emboldened.—
Maha Yahya,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Many people feel frustrated — embittered by what some view as an overly cautious approach by the Biden administration, and having endured months of delays in receiving American military assistance last year after it was held up in Congress.—
Marc Santora,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share