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
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
For roughly a century, conservative Christian groups have claimed that education should include Christian teachings and have increasingly concluded that American public schools are unsuited—and even antagonistic—to that task.
—
Austin Steelman / Made By History, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
And Musk’s approach so far has been read by many of those most immediately affected as antagonistic, demoralizing and callous.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
The rivalry never felt as antagonistic as the one that has built up between City and Arsenal over the past couple of seasons.
—Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
After the antagonistic exchange between the two heads of state, 46% of Ukrainians still believe that the country could continue resisting Russian aggression even if American support stops, with 36% doubting this view.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
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Austin Steelman / Made By History, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
And Musk’s approach so far has been read by many of those most immediately affected as antagonistic, demoralizing and callous.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
The rivalry never felt as antagonistic as the one that has built up between City and Arsenal over the past couple of seasons.
—Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
After the antagonistic exchange between the two heads of state, 46% of Ukrainians still believe that the country could continue resisting Russian aggression even if American support stops, with 36% doubting this view.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonistic
Cite this Entry
“Antagonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonistic. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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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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