antagonistic

adjective

an·​tag·​o·​nis·​tic (ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik How to pronounce antagonistic (audio)
Synonyms of antagonistic
: showing dislike or opposition : marked by or resulting from antagonism
an antagonistic relationship
factions antagonistic to one another
antagonistically
(ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce antagonistic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of antagonistic

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Examples of antagonistic in a Sentence

They found it impossible to deal with such antagonistic groups. countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The long-time TV veteran maintained a recurring part as dominatrix Lady Heather in six episodes of CSI from 2001 to 2011 and later booked another meaty antagonistic role on Nikita. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026 The continued division of Korea into two antagonistic states underscores the limits of land power. — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Trump has been antagonistic toward Canada since being reelected to the presidency in 2023. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026 Another important culprit is the assumption that a creator’s intention behind not mentioning certain exceptions was antagonistic or exclusionary. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for antagonistic

Word History

Etymology

see antagonize

First Known Use

circa 1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antagonistic was circa 1637

Rhymes for antagonistic

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Browse Nearby Words

antagonist
antagonistic
antagonistically
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Cite this Entry

“Antagonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonistic. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

antagonistic

adjective
an·​tag·​o·​nis·​tic (ˌ)an-ˌtag-ə-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce antagonistic (audio)
: showing antagonism
antagonistically
-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce antagonistic (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

antagonistic

adjective
an·​tag·​o·​nis·​tic (ˌ)an-ˌtag-ə-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce antagonistic (audio)
1
: characterized by or resulting from antagonism
antagonistic antibiotics
2
: relating to or being muscles that are antagonists
skeletal muscles arranged in antagonistic pairs
antagonistically
-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce antagonistic (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on antagonistic

Nglish: Translation of antagonistic for Spanish Speakers

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