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antagonize

[an-tag-uh-nahyz]
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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.
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verb (used without object), an·tag·o·nized, an·tag·o·niz·ing.
  1. Rare. to act antagonistically.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for antagonizing

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • 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.

  • Afraid to call your souls your own for fear of antagonizing the gang.

British Dictionary definitions for antagonizing

antagonize

antagonise

verb (tr)
  1. to make hostile; annoy or irritate
  2. to act in opposition to or counteract
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Derived Formsantagonizable or antagonisable, adjectiveantagonization or antagonisation, noun

Word Origin

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper