verb
antagonize
an-TAG-ih-nyz
Antagonize (verb) means to provoke hostility in someone, often deliberately. Example: “He antagonized his co-workers by taking credit for their ideas.”
verb
1
To provoke hostility in someone, often deliberately.
"He antagonized his co-workers by taking credit for their ideas."
"Try not to antagonize the dog; it can be unpredictable."
How to use antagonize
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo deliberately provoke or upset someone, making them hostile toward you.
Common pairings
antagonize someone
unintentionally antagonize
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- antagonizes
- Past tense
- antagonized
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He _____ his co-workers by taking credit for their ideas.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek antagonizomai, from anti- ("against") plus agonizomai ("to struggle, compete").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for antagonize
See all rhymes for antagonize →Frequently asked questions
What does “antagonize” mean?
The word “antagonize” means to provoke hostility in someone, often deliberately. In plain terms, to deliberately provoke or upset someone, making them hostile toward you.
How do you pronounce “antagonize”?
“Antagonize” is pronounced an-TAG-ih-nyz (/ænˈtæɡ.ɪ.naɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “antagonize” in a sentence?
Here is “antagonize” used in a sentence: “He antagonized his co-workers by taking credit for their ideas.”
What part of speech is “antagonize”?
“Antagonize” is a verb.
Where does the word “antagonize” come from?
The word “antagonize” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek antagonizomai, from anti- ("against") plus agonizomai ("to struggle, compete").
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