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
Vance is now tasked with the job of threading the needle; forcefully supporting and defending the administration's policies in the media while not antagonizing swing voters away from the GOP column in three years.
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Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, as the White House continues to antagonize pop stars, Vance is on X declaring his stake in the Nicki Minaj versus Cardi B rap feud, which has been largely dormant since October.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
With This is Gavin Newsom, the California governor is obviously working to position himself as some sort of aisle-bridging but Trump-antagonizing candidate, an acquiescent project that involves booking Steve Bannon one week and Ezra Klein the next.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
But Modi will navigate a balancing act to avoid antagonizing Washington in the midst of delicate trade negotiations.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antagonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonize
Verb
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The development appears to have infuriated the center’s interim president, MAGA loyalist Richard Grenell.—
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Trump’s blunt warnings have infuriated the country’s leaders, who have since doubled down on crushing the protests.—
Verb
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Starting over with a new coach or general manager right now takes contender off the table, and judging by the support thrown behind the head coach, would enrage Burrow in the process.—
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Jensen’s father, David Jensen, was enraged by McIntyre’s not guilty plea.—
Verb
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With an economy that is persistently reliant on crude, pursuing policies that raise energy costs risks angering constituents.—
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The board instead approved a resolution to reexamine current campus spaces, angering some parents.—
Verb
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Here, the situation has changed, leaving many of the gods either hardened or embittered by the conflict.—
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Domestic and regional actors often manipulate aid deliveries, creating a skewed economy that leaves some people embittered and others emboldened.—
Cite this Entry
“Antagonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonize. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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