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Antagonise Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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antagonise

[รฆnหˆtรฆษกษ™naษชz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in social interactions

To antagonise means to provoke someone to have a negative reaction or response. It involves deliberately irritating or provoking someone to cause conflict.

Synonyms

inflame, irritate, provoke.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
antagonise

Use this word when someone causes another person to become hostile or unfriendly. It's often used in situations where there is a conflict or someone is deliberately trying to make someone else angry.

  • His constant teasing started to antagonise his classmates.
  • The policy changes could antagonise many employees.
provoke

Use this term when someone deliberately causes a reaction, often negative. It's commonly used when discussing actions intended to incite anger, hostility, or other strong emotions.

  • Don't provoke the dog; it might bite.
  • His rude comments were meant to provoke a reaction from the audience.
irritate

This word describes causing someone slight anger or annoyance. It typically refers to minor annoyances or repeated actions that gradually annoy someone.

  • The constant noise from the construction site began to irritate the residents.
  • Her habit of interrupting others irritates everyone in the office.
inflame

This term is used when someone causes intense emotions or reactions, often making a situation worse. It can refer to both physical inflammation and emotional arousal, and it carries a somewhat stronger and more negative connotation.

  • His inflammatory comments only served to inflame the crowd.
  • The controversial article inflamed public opinion.

Examples of usage

  • She knew that bringing up politics would antagonise her conservative uncle.
  • His constant criticism of her work only served to antagonise her further.
Context #2 | Verb

in relationships

To antagonise can also mean to act in a way that creates hostility or opposition between individuals or groups. It involves fostering animosity or conflict.

Synonyms

alienate, divided, estranged.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
alienate

Use this word when someone's actions or words make others feel isolated or alien. It suggests a gradual process leading to separation or distance.

  • His rude remarks began to alienate his friends.
  • Constant criticism can alienate team members.
estranged

This word is often used to describe a relationship, usually familial or close, that has become distant or broken due to misunderstanding or disagreement.

  • She became estranged from her father after the divorce.
  • They were once best friends but are now estranged.
divided

This word is typically used in situations where a group is split into opposing factions or opinions. It implies a clear separation between two sides.

  • The issue of climate change divided the community.
  • Political beliefs can often leave families divided.

Examples of usage

  • His refusal to compromise only served to antagonise the negotiations.
  • The company's decision to outsource jobs antagonised the local community.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Studies show that when individuals are antagonised, it can trigger a fight-or-flight response, increasing stress.
  • People often respond defensively when antagonised, affecting their relationships and emotional wellbeing.
  • Understanding how antagonism affects communication can improve conflict resolution skills in personal and professional settings.

Literature

  • Many classic stories feature an antagonist who breeds conflict with the protagonist, driving the plot forward.
  • Shakespeare often depicted characters who antagonised each other, highlighting human emotions and moral dilemmas.
  • In modern literature, complex antagonists can even evoke sympathy, challenging the simplistic good versus bad narrative.

Culture

  • In sports, players often antagonise each other, creating rivalries that enhance the excitement of the competition.
  • In social media, antagonistic comments can escalate conflicts among users, affecting online communities.
  • Certain films and shows thrive on antagonism, as characters create drama, drawing viewers in with their struggles.

Origin of 'antagonise'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek 'antagonistes', meaning 'opponent' or 'rival', which reflects its meaning of opposition.
  • It first appeared in English in the 19th century, illustrating how conflicts have long been part of human interaction.
  • The prefix 'ant-' means 'against', showing that it relates to opposing someone or something.

The word 'antagonise' comes from the Greek word 'antagonizesthai', meaning 'to struggle against'. It entered the English language in the early 17th century, originally used in the context of conflict or opposition between individuals. Over time, its usage expanded to include provoking negative reactions or creating hostility. The term has evolved to encompass a range of social and relational dynamics involving conflict and opposition.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,990, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.