antagonize
an-TAG-uh-nyze
/ænˈtæɡ.ə.naɪz/
To cause someone to become hostile or angry.
Focuses on the relationship between two parties. It implies an active effort (intentional or not) to turn someone into an enemy.
The story behind the word. In Ancient Greek drama, the 'agon' was a contest or struggle. The 'antagonist' was the character who struggled 'against' the hero (the protagonist). To antagonize is to step into that role of the opponent.
Word relationships
- alienate: Alienate means to make someone feel like they don't belong or to lose their support; antagonize specifically means to make them feel hostile.
- placate: Placate means to make someone less angry or hostile.
- conciliate: Conciliate involves winning over or gaining the goodwill of someone.
Commonly confused with
- provoke: Provoke is to trigger a specific reaction; antagonize is to create a general state of hostility.
Word family
- antagonist (noun): A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something.
- antagonism (noun): Active hostility or opposition.
Collocations
- antagonize the public
- antagonize a rival
- avoid antagonizing
Example sentences
- "The manager's condescending tone tended to antagonize his employees rather than motivate them." Workplace dynamics
- "The government was careful not to antagonize its powerful neighbors during the trade negotiations." Diplomacy
Memory hook
Think of the 'antagonist' in a movie. They are the ones who 'antagonize' the hero. Antagonize: Act like the villain.
When not to use
Do not use for general worsening of a situation; it requires a person or group as the target of the hostility.
Fun facts
- In biology, an 'antagonist' is a substance that stops the action or effect of another substance, like a muscle that opposes another muscle.
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