antagonised
|an-tag-o-nised|
🇺🇸
/ænˈtæɡəˌnaɪz/
🇬🇧
/ænˈtæɡənaɪz/
(antagonise)
making someone an opponent
Etymology
'antagonise' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'antagonizesthai', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'agon' meant 'contest' or 'struggle'.
'antagonizesthai' passed into Late Latin/Medieval Latin as 'antagonizare' and then into Middle French/English influences, eventually becoming the modern English word 'antagonise'.
Initially it meant 'to struggle or contend against' (a literal contest), but over time it evolved to mean 'to provoke hostility or act in opposition' (including figurative and technical senses).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'antagonise'.
Her remarks antagonised several colleagues.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 2
caused (someone) to feel hostility or opposition; provoked or made an enemy of.
The coach's harsh criticism antagonised the team and lowered morale.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 3
acted in opposition to or interfered with (a process, drug, or system); to counteract.
A secondary compound antagonised the effect of the primary drug.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/20 10:22