as in to infuriate
to implant bitter feelings in
everything he said just antagonized the other side even more
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Recent Examples of antagonize
Dillon Brooks antagonizing, Devin Booker feigning indifference.
—
Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Investigations have linked them to vigilante groups known as militias, which often antagonized Franco.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
In 2023, the aforementioned Watts slammed Cutrone in an EW interview, over allegedly antagonizing her during an earlier challenge, which led to the pair's infamous on-air clash that resulted in Watts walking out of the judging deliberation and quitting the competition on the spot.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
After all, one of the persistent impulses of modern art has been to antagonize people of correct sensibilities, to subvert their cherished institutions.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Investigations have linked them to vigilante groups known as militias, which often antagonized Franco.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
In 2023, the aforementioned Watts slammed Cutrone in an EW interview, over allegedly antagonizing her during an earlier challenge, which led to the pair's infamous on-air clash that resulted in Watts walking out of the judging deliberation and quitting the competition on the spot.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
After all, one of the persistent impulses of modern art has been to antagonize people of correct sensibilities, to subvert their cherished institutions.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
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The plaintiffs’ lawyers also have complained that delays infuriate their clients, who expect higher payouts as cases drag on.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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The liberal Democratic governor, whose strict gun control measures have long infuriated gun owners, this week filed a bill to allow Sunday hunting and expand crossbow hunting, long overdue moves that aimed to shore up one of her biggest weaknesses in an election year.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That deal enraged House Republicans, who refused to consider the Senate's compromise and instead opted to pass their own stopgap spending measure that would continue funding for all of DHS — including ICE and CBP — through May 22 and sending it back to the Senate.—
Justin Papp,Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
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But every single thing that is enraging us about what’s going on at the federal level is also happening right here in Tarrant County.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Or simply anger that any parent would have to suffer the agony of having a missing child.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
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The first major nationwide protests against the Islamic regime began in June 2009, with demonstrators angered by the fraudulent presidential election.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Here, the situation has changed, leaving many of the gods either hardened or embittered by the conflict.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
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Domestic and regional actors often manipulate aid deliveries, creating a skewed economy that leaves some people embittered and others emboldened.—
Maha Yahya,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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