antagonize

[an-tag-uh-nahyz]

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.

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 formsan·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, adjectiveun·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

Related Words for antagonizing

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

Examples from the Web for antagonizing

Contemporary Examples of antagonizing

Antagonizing the Clinton administration eventually contributed to Netanyahu's downfall.
Why Bibi Humiliated Biden
Martin Indyk
March 11, 2010
Every bomb we drop, antagonizing more civilians, makes that goal more unrealizable.
America's Next Unwinnable War
Theodore Sorensen
October 30, 2009
And all are fearful of ridicule or, worse, antagonizing voters back home.
Who Did Nancy Pelosi's New Face?
Sandra McElwaine
March 26, 2009

Historical Examples of antagonizing

In antagonizing you farmers, I've opened the way for the enemies of the Service to reach you.
Still Jim
Honor Willsie Morrow
She was antagonizing the two boys who held the whole school in their hands.
A Voice in the Wilderness
Grace Livingston Hill
Nothing could possibly compensate her for antagonizing Felipe.
Ramona
Helen Hunt Jackson
Their antagonizing influence is encountered wherever the gospel is preached.
The Gist of Japan
R. B. Peery
Afraid to call your souls your own for fear of antagonizing the gang.
Langford of the Three Bars
Kate Boyles

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

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.