antagonize

[ an-tag-uh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, an·tag·o·nized, an·tag·o·niz·ing.

1. to make hostile or unfriendly; make an enemy or antagonist of:

   His speech antagonized many voters.

2. to act in opposition to; oppose.

verb (used without object)

, an·tag·o·nized, an·tag·o·niz·ing.

1. Rare. to act antagonistically.

antagonize

/ ænˈtæɡəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to make hostile; annoy or irritate
2. to act in opposition to or counteract

Derived Forms

• anˌtagoniˈzation, noun
• anˈtagoˌnizable, adjective

Other Words From

• an·tago·niza·ble adjective
• an·tago·ni·zation noun
• rean·tago·nize verb (used with object) reantagonized reantagonizing
• unan·tago·niza·ble adjective
• unan·tago·nized adjective
• unan·tago·nizing adjective
• unan·tago·nizing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of antagonize¹

First recorded in 1625–35, antagonize is from the Greek word antagōnízesthai to contend against, dispute with. See ant-, agonize

Word History and Origins

Origin of antagonize¹

C17: from Greek antagōnizesthai, from anti- + agōnizesthai to strive, from agōn contest

Example Sentences

Satirists occupy a perilous position—to skewer dogma and cant, and to antagonize the establishment while needing its protection.

From The Daily Beast

Close attachment to autocratic regimes by the West pays short-term dividends but will antagonize generations of Muslims.

From The Daily Beast

Going northward would antagonize Iraqi Sunnis, whom Washington and Baghdad are currently wooing.

From The Daily Beast

So far in the States, he has eschewed the roaring, pumping, and scolding so as not to antagonize his new teammates and opponents.

From The Daily Beast

Diplomatically, though, the big news is that Obama and Netanyahu will not antagonize each other.

From The Daily Beast

He could not indorse the religious ideas taught in them, and he was not there that day to antagonize them.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not well to antagonize the priests, who hold us firmly to this law.

From Project Gutenberg

When he was angered it was as though the offender had managed to antagonize some natural law, or force or mass.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't antagonize him; we can't afford to fight this war on any more fronts than we are now.

From Project Gutenberg

To brave public opinion and antagonize the Lower House of Congress required the largest courage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alienate
• anger
• annoy
• irritate
• offend