Antagonizes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To instigate opposition or enmity in others, leading to conflict or tension in interactions and provoking resentment or irritation in relationships
2. To foster discord by causing others to feel antagonism, thus increasing friction in interactions and inciting irritation or conflict
3. Causes others to feel hostility or resentment, often leading to conflict or strained relationships

Etymology: "Antagonizes" is the third-person singular form of "antagonize," so the verb itself is the story. It comes from the Ancient Greek "antagōnizesthai," meaning to struggle against someone in a contest, built from "anti-" (against) and "agōnizesthai" (to contend for a prize). The Greek root "agōn" meant a contest or gathering, the same stem that gives us "agony" in its original sense of strenuous struggle. What is surprising is how far the sense has drifted from athletics. The Greek original described rivals competing in the games, where the opponent was a fellow contender rather than an enemy. The English verb keeps the idea of opposing someone but has narrowed to stirring up hostility, so that to antagonize someone now means to provoke or alienate them rather than to match them in a fair fight.

Synonyms: opposes, resists, counteracts, aggravates, incites

Antonyms: pacifies, calms, soothes, conciliates, assists