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 brothers were famously antagonistic toward one another, making Thomas’s image all the more unique. — News Desk, Artforum, 26 Aug. 2026 In Central America, for example, ants feed on acacia trees, a relationship that, at first glance, appeared purely antagonistic. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 The tension, twitchiness, and turmoil of vintage no wave remain; the bitter misanthropy, however, has been jettisoned in favor of something brighter and less antagonistic, if not exactly sweet. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 20 Aug. 2026 When Meloni came into office as the leader of a political party with post-fascist roots, she had been expected to be antagonistic toward Europe and extreme in her views on foreign policy. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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
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