as in provoking
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as in angering
to implant bitter feelings in
everything he said just antagonized the other side even more
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Recent Examples of antagonizing
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
One of the few sane adults left in his administration must have reminded him that antagonizing Catholics is a terrible political move.
—Gustavo Arellano, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
One of the few sane adults left in his administration must have reminded him that antagonizing Catholics is a terrible political move.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 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
Produced through his Loser Films shingle, the film is about a group of small-town amateur stuntmen whose days revolve around drinking, antagonizing their community, and filming crude, Jackass-style stunts.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Dillon Brooks antagonizing, Devin Booker feigning indifference.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 Mar. 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
Even more important than retaining loyalists, as the Post’s recent history proves, is not deliberately antagonizing them or your own talent.
—John Williams, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Between his antagonizing antics and soul-shaking shot-making, CJ McCollum needed only two playoff games to achieve Knicks villain status.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
One of the few sane adults left in his administration must have reminded him that antagonizing Catholics is a terrible political move.
—Gustavo Arellano, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
One of the few sane adults left in his administration must have reminded him that antagonizing Catholics is a terrible political move.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 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
Produced through his Loser Films shingle, the film is about a group of small-town amateur stuntmen whose days revolve around drinking, antagonizing their community, and filming crude, Jackass-style stunts.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Dillon Brooks antagonizing, Devin Booker feigning indifference.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 Mar. 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
Even more important than retaining loyalists, as the Post’s recent history proves, is not deliberately antagonizing them or your own talent.
—John Williams, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonizing
Adjective
-
Then on May 1, amid the full moon in Scorpio, Venus will harmonize with Saturn in Aries, presenting the opportunity for something fun and thought-provoking to become real.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, Lee’s work tends to be rich, thought-provoking, and hyper-personal, but fully engaging in her use of clever materials and the occasional laugh-out-loud punchline.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At last year’s COP30 in Brazil, about 80 countries backed a road map to phase out oil, gas and coal, but it was dropped from the final document for lack of consensus, angering many delegates.—
Fabiano Maisonnave,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The unique revelry was appropriate for the rising star who has made headlines by angering veterans with aggressive moves.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Prosecutors have also signaled the case involves aggravating factors, including the scale of destruction and potential danger to others.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
This is even more aggravating given that the previous night, João tried and failed to break things off with her.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Orbán had vetoed the bill after initially agreeing to it, enraging EU officials and counterparts across the 27-nation bloc.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Researchers are already investigating the drugs’ use for various chronic inflammatory diseases.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Heaton has previously spoken out against inflammatory political discourse.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The gap between what Greg and I did—and, more importantly, thought about—became a gigantic infuriating cavern for me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
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In San Francisco, a Waymo vehicle struck and killed a bodega cat in the city’s Mission District last fall, infuriating residents.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Your husband’s petty desire to be right about everything is understandably annoying and somewhat typical behavior.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Dealing with frost on your car may be a nuisance in the winter, but seeds, leaves, and flower petals can be equally as annoying in spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This led to many exasperating discussions of the nature/nurture theories of my education.—
Gilda Dangot-Simpkin,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The kids ran into his arms with the most exasperating delight.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Antagonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonizing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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