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

Harris’ fortunes improved dramatically following Trump’s six-hour rally at Madison Square Garden, a chest-thumping extravaganza that the bettors reckoned would antagonize female voters on the fence. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024

The lukewarm lip service to the Palestinian cause versus the unconditional declaration of support and arms supply to Israel has severely antagonized the Arab-Muslim bloc. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Williams was among a group of teens who showed up outside the Beaches Branch Library in Neptune Beach where early voting was taking place Tuesday afternoon and antagonized the sign wavers, Key said. —Amanda Musa, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

Since then, Musk has publicly criticized both the commission and antagonized its former head, Thierry Breton, who spearheaded the investigation into X before resigning this September. —Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 17 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