antagonize

/ænˈtæɡənaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ænˈtæɡənaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /an-ˈta-gə-ˌnīz/ (ame, mw)

antagonize — verb

  • antagonizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • antagonizeshe / she / it
  • antagonizedpast simple
  • antagonizing-ing form

1. to say or do things that cause someone to become angry or unfriendly toward you

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to say or do things that cause someone to become angry or unfriendly toward you

例句

Yuki antagonized the new colleagues by constantly criticizing their work habits.

antagonize + by + -ing phrase for cause

Omar's loud phone calls during the meeting antagonized the entire team.

inanimate subject (behavior) + antagonize

同義詞
  • provoke

    stronger emphasis on deliberately causing anger; more confrontational

  • alienate

    focuses on pushing someone away and making them unfriendly, not necessarily angry

  • irritate

    milder; suggests annoyance rather than full hostility

  • offend

    focuses on hurt feelings or disrespect rather than opposition

反義詞
  • appease

    to calm someone down and win their goodwill

  • mollify

    to reduce someone's anger or hostility

文法句型

antagonize + object

antagonize + object + by + -ing phrase

用法筆記

Subject can be a person or an action/behaviour. The cause of the hostility is often introduced with 'by' plus a gerund phrase.

常見錯誤

❌I antagonized with my brother.
✅I antagonized my brother.
💡antagonize is transitive; do not add 'with' after it.
❌She antagonized to her boss.
✅She antagonized her boss.
💡no preposition 'to' is needed; the object follows directly.

2. to work against the effects or progress of a force, process, or idea in order to

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to work against the effects or progress of a force, process, or idea in order to limit or stop it

例句

The new drug works by antagonizing the chemicals that trigger allergic reactions.

scientific/medical context: antagonize [chemical]

Community leaders tried to antagonize the harmful effects of false rumours about the factory closure.

同義詞
  • counteract

    more everyday word for the same idea; less formal

  • oppose

    broader; can mean simple disagreement rather than active counteraction

  • neutralize

    stronger; suggests completely cancelling the effect

  • resist

    can imply passive or active opposition; often used with forces or pressure

反義詞
  • promote

    to actively support or encourage a process

  • facilitate

    to make a process easier or more likely

文法句型

antagonize + something (abstract force or process)

用法筆記

Frequently appears in formal, technical, or legal writing. The object is typically an abstract force (e.g. a process, effect, regulation) rather than a person. Common in medical and scientific contexts where one substance counteracts another.