Antagonize
verb
To make someone dislike or oppose you by your actions or words.
His constant taunts started to antagonize me.
Often appears as...
- antagonize someone
- antagonize into action
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To act in opposition to; to counteract.
The drug is known to antagonize the effects of insulin.
Often appears as...
- antagonize effects
- antagonize insulin
Usage tips
Formal, Neutral
Medical
verb
To make someone dislike or oppose you by your actions or words.
His constant taunts started to antagonize me.
Often appears as...
- antagonize someone
- antagonize into action
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To act in opposition to; to counteract.
The drug is known to antagonize the effects of insulin.
Often appears as...
- antagonize effects
- antagonize insulin
Usage tips
Formal, Neutral
Medical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Antagonize implies causing someone to become hostile.
Don't antagonize your colleagues with harsh words.
Pro Tip 2/3May Escalate
Using 'antagonize' suggests actions may lead to greater conflict.
His teasing might antagonize her into arguing.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Accidental
Antagonizing often implies intent, not an accidental effect.
She didn't mean to antagonize him with her comments.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Antagonize implies causing someone to become hostile.
Don't antagonize your colleagues with harsh words.
Pro Tip 2/3May Escalate
Using 'antagonize' suggests actions may lead to greater conflict.
His teasing might antagonize her into arguing.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Accidental
Antagonizing often implies intent, not an accidental effect.
She didn't mean to antagonize him with her comments.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Antagonize implies causing someone to become hostile.
Don't antagonize your colleagues with harsh words.
Pro Tip 2/3May Escalate
Using 'antagonize' suggests actions may lead to greater conflict.
His teasing might antagonize her into arguing.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Accidental
Antagonizing often implies intent, not an accidental effect.
She didn't mean to antagonize him with her comments.
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Video examples
Why should you read...
Poe lived in poverty throughout his career, and his personal life was often as dark as his writing. He was haunted by the loss of his mother and his wife, who both died of tuberculosis at the age of 24. Poe struggled with alcoholism and frequently antagonized other popular writers.
Video examples
How the US should use...
But long term -- I didn't mean that. But long term, long term, if you think that the Russians were antagonized by the US and Europe expanding NATO right up to their borders when we said they weren't going to, and the EU encroaching them,
Video examples
A message of peace, hope...
creating the curriculum we've got to start looking towards a globalized curriculum with a localized aspect in other words we should know a bit more about the other to avoid that the possible you build up of antagonize
Video examples
Why should you read...
Poe lived in poverty throughout his career, and his personal life was often as dark as his writing. He was haunted by the loss of his mother and his wife, who both died of tuberculosis at the age of 24. Poe struggled with alcoholism and frequently antagonized other popular writers.
Video examples
How the US should use...
But long term -- I didn't mean that. But long term, long term, if you think that the Russians were antagonized by the US and Europe expanding NATO right up to their borders when we said they weren't going to, and the EU encroaching them,
Video examples
A message of peace, hope...
creating the curriculum we've got to start looking towards a globalized curriculum with a localized aspect in other words we should know a bit more about the other to avoid that the possible you build up of antagonize
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Josh Barnett
American Mixed Martial Artist
Why antagonize somebody for no reason? Why try to garner attention by doing something negative? Why not do something positive on your own merits, instead of somebody else, whether it's to try to antagonize them or draw their ire, or even to have them help you out.
Quote examples
Robert McChesney
American Critic
If you're running for reelection in the House of Representatives race, you know, it's very important to you that you be on fairly good terms with the local affiliates in the largest market in your area. I mean you don't want to antagonize them.
Quote examples
Garry Trudeau
American Cartoonist
For the most part, editors no longer view 'Doonesbury' as a rolling provocation, which is fine by me. It makes no sense to intentionally antagonize the very people on whose support you most depend.
Quote examples
Louis Freeh
American Lawyer
I wanted all my visits to be official. When I sent the pass back with a note, I had no idea it would antagonize the president. I found out years later that it did.
Quote examples
Lee H. Hamilton
American Politician
Addressing global resentment cannot be put off. If we do not learn to use our predominant power with great restraint, we will antagonize the world.
Quote examples
Lee Ranaldo
American Musician
It's not like we set out to antagonize the audience in any way. We're just presenting our music; it's really much more innocent.
Quote examples
Barry McGee
American Artist
The parts of graffiti I like are really antagonizing still - it's not something that a museum would really embrace.
Quote examples
John Knox
Scottish Clergyman
You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time.
Quote examples
Jason Mantzoukas
American Actor
I like antagonizing the audience, poking at them.
Quote examples
Mohammed Morsi
Egyptian Politician
I never meant to antagonize anyone.
Quote examples
Josh Barnett
American Mixed Martial Artist
Why antagonize somebody for no reason? Why try to garner attention by doing something negative? Why not do something positive on your own merits, instead of somebody else, whether it's to try to antagonize them or draw their ire, or even to have them help you out.
Quote examples
Robert McChesney
American Critic
If you're running for reelection in the House of Representatives race, you know, it's very important to you that you be on fairly good terms with the local affiliates in the largest market in your area. I mean you don't want to antagonize them.
Quote examples
Garry Trudeau
American Cartoonist
For the most part, editors no longer view 'Doonesbury' as a rolling provocation, which is fine by me. It makes no sense to intentionally antagonize the very people on whose support you most depend.
Quote examples
Louis Freeh
American Lawyer
I wanted all my visits to be official. When I sent the pass back with a note, I had no idea it would antagonize the president. I found out years later that it did.
Quote examples
Lee H. Hamilton
American Politician
Addressing global resentment cannot be put off. If we do not learn to use our predominant power with great restraint, we will antagonize the world.
Quote examples
Lee Ranaldo
American Musician
It's not like we set out to antagonize the audience in any way. We're just presenting our music; it's really much more innocent.
Quote examples
Barry McGee
American Artist
The parts of graffiti I like are really antagonizing still - it's not something that a museum would really embrace.
Quote examples
John Knox
Scottish Clergyman
You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time.
Quote examples
Jason Mantzoukas
American Actor
I like antagonizing the audience, poking at them.
Quote examples
Mohammed Morsi
Egyptian Politician
I never meant to antagonize anyone.
Example 1 of 10
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