Antagonize
To deliberately provoke hostility or opposition in someone; to cause someone to become unfriendly or to argue with you.
verbAntagonize
To deliberately provoke hostility or opposition in someone; to cause someone to become unfriendly or to argue with you.
verbImagine This
Imagine a class debate where one student keeps throwing sharp remarks to derail ideas. Each remark makes others defensive, turning a cooperative discussion into a heated argument.
Sounds Like
an-TAG-uh-nize
Looks Like
anti- + agonize (visual hint: the word splits into 'anti' and 'agonize', suggesting against a contest)
Remember This
Antagonize = turn someone into an antagonist; anti- (against) + agōn (contest) via the Greek roots.
Other Forms
Connect With
provoke, irritate, goad, incite, alienate
Note
Uses a direct object: you antagonize someone. Do not confuse with 'antagonist' (the opposing character) or 'antagonistic' (adjective).