antagonize

especially British, an·tag·o·nise

[an-tag-uh-nahyz]

verb (used with object)

antagonized, antagonizing 

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)

antagonized, antagonizing 

1. Rare.,  to act antagonistically.

antagonize

/ ænˈtæɡəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to make hostile; annoy or irritate

2. to act in opposition to or counteract

Other Word Forms

• antagonizable adjective
• antagonization noun
• reantagonize verb (used with object)
• unantagonizable adjective
• unantagonized adjective
• unantagonizing adjective
• unantagonizingly 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

Zohran Mamdani, who just swept to victory in the New York City mayoral race, already faces his next big challenge: making the right hires without alienating loyalists or further antagonizing skeptics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They are antagonizing the locals in hopes that someone will throw a punch, which could then used to justify unleashing even more fascist violence.

Read more on Salon

Some also contend the deal has unnecessarily antagonized China, Australia’s main trading partner.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When a person goes to the store and finds almost everything locked up behind plastic because of shoplifting, they may feel antagonized and triggered.

Read more on Salon

For the Islamic Republic’s leaders, who have defied and antagonized Israel — and the U.S. — for decades, that they emerged bruised but not beaten serves as proof they should continue.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alienate 
• anger 
• annoy 
• irritate 
• offend