antagonize

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antagonize

/ænˈtæɡ.ɪ.naɪz/ UK
/ænˈtæɡ.ɪ.naɪz/ Canada, US
[ɛənˈtæɡ.ɪ.naɪz] Canada, US
/ænˈtæɡ.ə.naɪz/ Canada, US
[ɛənˈtæɡ.ə.naɪz] Canada, US
/ænˈtæɡ.ɪ.nɑez/ Australia

Rhymes with -æɡənaɪz

Where it comes from

From Ancient Greek ἀνταγωνίζομαι (antagōnízomai), from ἀντι- (anti-) + ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnízomai). By surface analysis, ant- + agon + -ize.

verb antagonizes · antagonizing · antagonized · antagonise

transitive To work against; to oppose (especially to incite a reaction). The other children constantly antagonized Joe to the point of tears.
Similar: harass, oppose, pester, aggravate, annoy, nettle, rankle, ruffle, sting, burn someone's ass, antagonize, bother · Opposite: appease, quell

Translations

Every language

verb to oppose

Español	antagonizar, contrariar
中文	對抗 /对抗 duìkàng
Português	antagonizar
Français	contrarier, antagoniser
Deutsch	antagonisieren, entgegenwirken, bekämpfen, zu seinem Gegner machen, anfeinden, provozieren
Italiano	opporsi

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Cite this

MLA

"antagonize." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/antagonize. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

antagonize. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/antagonize

Chicago

"antagonize." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/antagonize.

BibTeX

@misc{antagonize_2026,
  title = {antagonize},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/antagonize},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}