Synonyms of antagonistic

antagonistic

adjective

(ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik 

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will

countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hostile
• negative
• adverse
• contentious
• adversarial
• unfavorable
• antipathetic
• conflicting
• opposed
• inimical
• unfriendly
• adversary
• inhospitable
• unpleasant
• unsympathetic
• jaundiced
• militant
• mortal
• belligerent
• combative
• contrary
• malicious
• bellicose
• pugnacious
• icy
• frigid
• resisting
• antisocial
• disagreeable
• quarrelsome
• argumentative
• truculent
• clashing
• distant
• rude
• disputatious
• biased
• hateful
• bitter
• virulent
• disapproving
• spiteful
• unkind
• vindictive
• discourteous
• prejudiced
• cold
• malevolent
• malignant
• scrappy
• acrimonious
• uncivil
• unsociable
• surly
• impolite
• inconsiderate
• unmannerly
• malign
• impertinent
• cool
• rancorous
• opprobrious
• unloving
• ill-mannered
• despiteful
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• friendly
• social
• hospitable
• civil
• amiable
• cordial
• pleasant
• warm
• amicable
• genial
• affable
• gracious
• neighborly
• nonhostile
• convivial
• gregarious
• sociable
• nonantagonistic
• companionable
• loving
• affectionate
• kind
• sweet
• good-natured
• favorable
• devoted
• benign
• kindly
• nice
• agreeable
• comradely
• empathetic
• good-tempered
• accepting
• understanding
• welcoming
• warmhearted
• approving

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of antagonistic

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