antagonize

verb

an·​tag·​o·​nize an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz 

antagonized; antagonizing

transitive verb

1

: to incur or provoke the hostility of

His criticism antagonized his friends.

2

: to act in opposition to : counteract

The drug is antagonized by methylxanthines, such as caffeine and theophylline …

—Scientific American Medicine

Synonyms

• embitter
• empoison
• envenom

Examples of antagonize in a Sentence

He didn't mean to antagonize you.

Her comments antagonized many people.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gensler had antagonized a lot of Wall Street, as well as the crypto industry, because of the agency's aggressive enforcement actions under his tenure. —Rafael Nam, NPR, 4 Dec. 2024

After the election, Hernandez's brother antagonized Gallego on social media. —Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024

Nick’s overdose has finally (kinda) created a reason for these four people to be in one place, antagonizing each other. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Schultz also antagonized store workers during a time of tense relations between the company and employees during his third stint as CEO. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek antagōnizesthai, from anti- + agōnizesthai to struggle, from agōn contest — more at agony

First Known Use

circa 1742, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

antagonize

verb

an·​tag·​o·​nize an-ˈtag-ə-ˌnīz 

antagonized; antagonizing

: to stir up dislike or anger in

Medical Definition

antagonize

transitive verb

an·​tag·​o·​nize

variants also British antagonise

an-ˈtag-ə-ˌnīz 

antagonized also British antagonised; antagonizing also British antagonising

: to act in antagonism to : counteract

these effects are antagonized by atropine

—Ernest Bueding & Harry Most