antagonize

The definition of antagonize is to cause someone to react with unkindness or opposition.

(verb)

An example of a situation in which someone might antagonize others is if he taunted or made fun of others.

To antagonize is defined as to act in a way that is contrary.

(verb)

An example of two groups that frequently antagonize each other are the democrats and the republicans.

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See antagonize in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb antagonized, antagonizing

  1. to oppose or counteract
  2. to incur the dislike of; make an enemy of

Origin: Gr antagōnizesthai, to struggle against < anti-, against + agōnizesthai: see agonize

See antagonize in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb an·tag·o·nized, an·tag·o·niz·ing, an·tag·o·niz·es
  1. To incur the dislike of; provoke hostility or enmity in: antagonized her officemates with her rude behavior.
  2. To counteract.

Origin:

Origin: Greek antagōnizesthai, to struggle against

Origin: : anti-, anti-

Origin: + agōnizesthai, to struggle (from agōn, contest; see agony)

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