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antagonistic
adjective
an·tag·o·nis·tic
(ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik
: showing dislike or opposition : marked by or resulting from antagonism
an antagonistic relationship
factions antagonistic to one another
Synonyms
Examples of antagonistic in a Sentence
They found it impossible to deal with such antagonistic groups.
countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries
Recent Examples on the Web
However, with a new administration poised to take control in a month’s time that is pro-business and potentially more lenient in anti-trust policies, that antagonistic scenario could be altered.
—Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The potential pick could deepen Trump’s antagonistic relations with Mexico and add another controversial figure needing confirmation from the U.S. Senate, which will flip to Republican control in January.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
Still, the relationship never became too antagonistic.
—Tae Kim, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
However, their early rhetoric is setting an antagonistic tone toward federal workers, which threatens to undermine DOGE’s goals.
—James Broughel, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
see antagonize
First Known Use
circa 1637, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near antagonistic
Cite this Entry
“Antagonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonistic. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
Medical Definition
antagonistic
adjective
an·tag·o·nis·tic
(ˌ)an-ˌtag-ə-ˈnis-tik
1
: characterized by or resulting from antagonism
antagonistic antibiotics
2
: relating to or being muscles that are antagonists
skeletal muscles arranged in antagonistic pairs
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