antagonize
verb (used with object)
to make hostile or unfriendly; make an enemy or antagonist of.
antagonizing
-
present participleof antagonize.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He did so to avoid antagonizing parts of the political and religious establishment that categorically reject hereditary or dynastic succession.
From Salon ● Mar. 6, 2026
She needs to maintain her popular tough stance on China without overly antagonizing Japan’s No. 2 customer for exports.
From Barron's ● Feb. 10, 2026
In it, more realities of the killing are clarified: Good wasn’t antagonizing the agent, and she didn’t turn her wheels to try to hit him, but instead to drive away slowly.
From Slate ● Jan. 13, 2026
President Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, two singular forces in U.S. politics who have spent months antagonizing one another, set aside their differences—for now—following a meeting at the White House.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2025
Miles didn’t seem to particularly like me, and I’d been antagonizing him all day.
From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia
