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
The suitcase’s contents ranged from meeting notes and a list of ways to antagonize targets (from the use of lizards and snakes to slingshots) to membership lists and charters.
—
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
At a time when many in the business community tried to avoid antagonizing the Chinese government, Lai’s publications ran images that readers often brought to anti-government protests—including one that featured Hong Kong’s leader, Tung Chee-hwa, getting hit in the face with a pie.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
The people briefed on the episode, who declined to be named so as to not antagonize the mayor, argued the backlash raises questions about whether her work should be more closely vetted.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Your points are eloquent as Mercury and Mars align, but your attitude may antagonize your audience.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
At a time when many in the business community tried to avoid antagonizing the Chinese government, Lai’s publications ran images that readers often brought to anti-government protests—including one that featured Hong Kong’s leader, Tung Chee-hwa, getting hit in the face with a pie.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
The people briefed on the episode, who declined to be named so as to not antagonize the mayor, argued the backlash raises questions about whether her work should be more closely vetted.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Your points are eloquent as Mercury and Mars align, but your attitude may antagonize your audience.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
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Hart’s stance infuriated some of his liberal supporters and sparked a Michigan recall petition to oust him from the Senate.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Genuine labor advocates are infuriated by its decline, which has proceeded under Republican and Democratic administrations alike.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The culmination of the story is Michael revealing on stage that this would be the Jacksons' last show together, enraging his father Joe Jackson (Colman Domingo).—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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Lyman said the amount of grief had shocked and enraged her.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Imagine the type of conviction Jon-Eric Sullivan must have in Kadyn Proctor to have his first-round selection disappoint, if not anger most of his South Florida fan base?—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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Trump faces record-low approval ratings, while Washington’s war on Iran, which has sent US gasoline prices spiking, has further angered voters.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Alito came out a winner, but still embittered.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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