Antagonize
/ænˈtæɡ.ə.naɪz/noun
To make someone hostile or opposed; to provoke conflict.
Did you know?Antagonize comes from Greek roots used for an opponent in a contest or struggle, and its deeper history is tied to the same ancient language of battling, not just arguing.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀνταγωνίζεσθαι (antagōnízesthai)
“to contend against, struggle in opposition”
Late Greek / Hellenistic
Greek
ἀνταγωνιστής (antagōnistḗs)
“an opponent, rival, competitor”
Late Latin
Latin
antagonizare
“to oppose, contend against”
16th–17th Century
English
antagonize
“to set against, make hostile”
Modern English
English
antagonize
“to provoke or incite hostility or opposition”
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