antagonize

[ an-tag-uh-nahyz ]
/ ænˈtæg əˌnaɪz /

verb (used with object), an·tag·o·nized, an·tag·o·niz·ing.

to make hostile or unfriendly; make an enemy or antagonist of: His speech antagonized many voters.
to act in opposition to; oppose.

verb (used without object), an·tag·o·nized, an·tag·o·niz·ing.

Rare. to act antagonistically.
Also especially British, an·tag·o·nise.

Origin of antagonize

First recorded in 1625–35, antagonize is from the Greek word antagōnízesthai to contend against, dispute with. See ant-, agonize

OTHER WORDS FROM antagonize

Words nearby antagonize

antaeus, antagonism, antagonist, antagonistic, antagonistic muscles, antagonize, antagonizer, antakiya, antakya, antalgic, antalgic gait

Example sentences from the Web for antagonise

British Dictionary definitions for antagonise

antagonize

antagonise

/ (ænˈtæɡəˌnaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to make hostile; annoy or irritate
to act in opposition to or counteract

Derived forms of antagonize

antagonizable or antagonisable, adjective antagonization or antagonisation, noun

Word Origin for antagonize

C17: from Greek antagōnizesthai, from anti- + agōnizesthai to strive, from agōn contest