antagonizable
|an-tag-o-ni-za-ble|
/ænˌtæɡəˈnaɪzəbəl/
(antagonize)
cause hostility
Etymology
'antagonizable' originates from Greek via Latin and Modern English, specifically from the verb-form base 'antagonize' (from Greek 'antagonizesthai'), with the suffix '-able' meaning 'capable of'.
'antagonize' came into English from Late Latin/Old French influences from Greek 'antagonizesthai' (to contend), and the adjectival formation with '-able' produced 'antagonizable' in Modern English usage as a productivity of English suffixation.
Initially related forms meant 'to contend or oppose'; over time the verb 'antagonize' came to mean 'to provoke hostility or to act as an antagonist', and 'antagonizable' developed to mean 'capable of being antagonized' or 'capable of being opposed'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
capable of being antagonized; likely to be provoked into hostility or to cause antagonism in others.
Her dismissive remarks made her appear antagonizable to many colleagues.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
capable of being opposed, counteracted, or neutralized (often used in technical contexts, e.g., pharmacology: a drug whose effect can be antagonized).
In the study the compound proved antagonizable by a known inhibitor.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/20 12:37