antagonize

[ an-tag-uh-nahyz ]

/ ænˈtæg əˌnaɪz /

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.

Nearby words

antaeus, antagonism, antagonist, antagonistic, antagonistic muscles, antagonize, antagonizer, antakiya, antakya, antalgic, 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

an·tag·o·niz·a·ble, adjectivean·tag·o·ni·za·tion, nounre·an·tag·o·nize, verb (used with object), re·an·tag·o·nized, re·an·tag·o·niz·ing.un·an·tag·o·niz·a·ble, adjective

un·an·tag·o·nized, adjectiveun·an·tag·o·niz·ing, adjectiveun·an·tag·o·niz·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for antagonizing

Antagonizing the Clinton administration eventually contributed to Netanyahu's downfall.
Why Bibi Humiliated Biden|Martin Indyk|March 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Every bomb we drop, antagonizing more civilians, makes that goal more unrealizable.
America's Next Unwinnable War|Theodore Sorensen|October 30, 2009|DAILY BEAST
And all are fearful of ridicule or, worse, antagonizing voters back home.
Who Did Nancy Pelosi's New Face?|Sandra McElwaine|March 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
And he suddenly realized that he had begun his fight by antagonizing a very shrewd purser.
The Secret of the Silver Car|Wyndham Martyn

Instead of antagonizing the Japanese, we should cultivate their good will.
Our National Defense:|George Hebard Maxwell
Afraid to call your souls your own for fear of antagonizing the gang.
Langford of the Three Bars|Kate Boyles
One thing seemed clear—that he had gone further than was necessary in antagonizing the old woman.
The Fashionable Adventures of Joshua Craig|David Graham Phillips
He had no intention of antagonizing the Tuareg chief by going over his head and directly to the people.
Border, Breed Nor Birth|Dallas McCord Reynolds

British Dictionary definitions for antagonizing

antagonize

antagonise

/ (ænˈtæɡəˌnaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to make hostile; annoy or irritate

to act in opposition to or counteract

Derived Forms

antagonizable 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