antagonize

[ an-tag-uh-nahyz ]
See synonyms for: antagonizeantagonizedantagonization on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),an·tag·o·nized, an·tag·o·niz·ing.
  1. to make hostile or unfriendly; make an enemy or antagonist of: His speech antagonized many voters.

  2. to act in opposition to; oppose.

verb (used without object),an·tag·o·nized, an·tag·o·niz·ing.
  1. Rare. to act antagonistically.

Origin of antagonize

1
First recorded in 1625–35, antagonize is from the Greek word antagōnízesthai to contend against, dispute with. See ant-, agonize
  • Also especially British, an·tag·o·nise .

Other words from antagonize

  • an·tag·o·niz·a·ble, adjective
  • an·tag·o·ni·za·tion, noun
  • re·an·tag·o·nize, verb (used with object), re·an·tag·o·nized, re·an·tag·o·niz·ing.
  • un·an·tag·o·niz·a·ble, adjective
  • un·an·tag·o·nized, adjective
  • un·an·tag·o·niz·ing, adjective
  • un·an·tag·o·niz·ing·ly, adverb

Words Nearby antagonize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use antagonize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for antagonize

antagonize

antagonise

/ (ænˈtæɡəˌnaɪz) /


verb(tr)
  1. to make hostile; annoy or irritate

  2. to act in opposition to or counteract

Origin of antagonize

1
C17: from Greek antagōnizesthai, from anti- + agōnizesthai to strive, from agōn contest

Derived forms of antagonize

  • antagonizable or antagonisable, adjective
  • antagonization or antagonisation, noun

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