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antagonize

an-TAG-uh-nyze /ænˈtæɡ.ə.naɪz/

verbB2SATTOEFLIELTS

general

cause (someone) to become hostile.

This is the active verb of the group. It describes the specific things one person does to make another person angry or defensive.

The story behind the word. The verb form of 'antagonism', it literally means 'to act as an antagonist'. It entered English in the 1700s to describe the act of opposing something, and later shifted to the social meaning of 'making someone an enemy'.

Word relationships

provoke: Provoke is to trigger a specific reaction; antagonize is to create a general state of hostility.
irritate: Irritate is much milder; it means to annoy, not necessarily to create an enemy.

soothe: Soothe is to gently calm someone.
placate: Placate is to make someone less angry by giving in to their demands.

Commonly confused with

agitate: To agitate is to stir up or disturb; to antagonize is to specifically make someone your opponent.

Word family

antagonism (noun): active hostility
antagonist (noun): an opponent

Collocations

deliberately antagonize
antagonize a rival
try not to antagonize

Idioms & expressions

poke the bear

Example sentences

"It's best not to antagonize him by parking in his spot; he's known for having a short temper." Advice on how to handle a difficult neighbor.
"The police were careful not to antagonize the crowd further." A news report on a protest.

Memory hook

If you 'antagonize' someone, you are 'tagging' them as your 'ant-agonist'. Antagonize = To make an enemy.

When not to use

Don't use it if the person is already angry; use it for the act of making them angry.

Fun facts

In medicine, a drug can antagonize a receptor, meaning it blocks the receptor from working.