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definitions

antagonize

[an-tag-uh-nahyz]
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verb (used with object), an·tag·o·nized, an·tag·o·niz·ing.

to make hostile or unfriendly; make an enemy or antagonist of: His speech antagonized many voters.
to act in opposition to; oppose.

verb (used without object), an·tag·o·nized, an·tag·o·niz·ing.

Rare. to act antagonistically.

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RELATED WORDS

anger, offend, annoy, irritate, alienate, neutralize, insult, repel, struggle, counteract, estrange

Nearby words

  1. antagonise,
  2. antagonism,
  3. antagonist,
  4. antagonistic,
  5. antagonistic muscles,
  6. antagonizer,
  7. antakiya,
  8. antakya,
  9. antalgic,
  10. antalgic gait
Also especially British, an·tag·o·nise.

Origin of antagonize

First recorded in 1625–35, antagonize is from the Greek word antagōnízesthai to contend against, dispute with. See ant-, agonize
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for antagonizing

British Dictionary definitions for antagonizing

antagonize

antagonise

verb (tr)

to make hostile; annoy or irritate
to act in opposition to or counteract
Derived Formsantagonizable or antagonisable, adjectiveantagonization or antagonisation, noun

Word Origin for antagonize

C17: from Greek antagōnizesthai, from anti- + agōnizesthai to strive, from agōn contest
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for antagonizing

antagonize

v.

1630s, "to compete with," from Greek antagonizesthai "to struggle against, oppose, be a rival" (see antagonist). Meaning "to struggle against continuously" is recorded from 1742. Related: Antagonized; antagonizing.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper