antagonizes
|an-tag-o-niz-es|
/ænˈtæɡənaɪz/
(antagonize)
cause hostility
Etymology
'antagonize' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'antagōnizesthai' / 'antagōnizō', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'agōn' meant 'contest' or 'struggle'.
'antagonize' passed into English via late Latin/French forms such as 'antagonizare' and French 'antagoniser', and developed into the modern English verb 'antagonize'.
Initially it meant 'to contend or struggle against', but over time it evolved to its current common meaning 'to provoke hostility or make (someone) an opponent'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to cause (someone) to become hostile or unfriendly; to arouse opposition or resentment in
His constant sarcasm antagonizes his colleagues.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/20 13:52