1
Core action
Provoke hostility in someone or make that person become opposed or unfriendly.
Example
The insulting remarks antagonized potential allies.
antagonize
/ænˈtæɡənaɪz/ · an-TAG-uh-nyzeverb
Provoke hostility in someone or make that person become opposed or unfriendly.
Use antagonize to express this relationship precisely: provoke hostility in someone or make that person become opposed or unfriendly.
What antagonize Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
A sudden ban may antagonize residents who support gradual reform.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
She disagreed firmly without trying to antagonize her colleagues.
Use antagonize Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The insulting remarks antagonized potential allies.
A sudden ban may antagonize residents who support gradual reform.
She disagreed firmly without trying to antagonize her colleagues.
Precision Matters
Antagonize overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
antagonize
vs.Means provoke hostility in someone or make that person become opposed or unfriendly.
conciliate
Means reduce hostility, win goodwill, or restore friendly relations with an angry or opposing person or group.
antagonize
vs.Means provoke hostility in someone or make that person become opposed or unfriendly.
assuage
Means make an unpleasant feeling, fear, pain, or concern less intense; soothe or relieve it.
antagonize
vs.Means provoke hostility in someone or make that person become opposed or unfriendly.
promote
Means encourage, support, or contribute to the development, progress, growth, or acceptance of something.
antagonize
vs.Means provoke hostility in someone or make that person become opposed or unfriendly.
pugnacious
Means eager or quick to argue, quarrel, challenge, or fight.
Test antagonize in Context
The behaviour provokes hostility and turns possible allies into opponents.
1
By mocking every concern, the spokesperson managed to ___ even groups that had initially supported the proposal.