ANTAGONISTIC Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

antagonistic

adjective

(ˌ)an-ˌta-gə-ˈni-stik

Definition of antagonistic

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will countries that have been antagonistic towards each other for centuries

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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.

Recent Examples of antagonistic But Mark, in Ronson’s telling, quickly grows antagonistic, abruptly asking Ronson to sign an NDA, then later barraging him with suspicious texts and threatening him with a pair of goons. — Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026 One of the ways Fernandez would display it was by targeting ex-Chelsea players on the pitch, being antagonistic and winding them up, and fans loved him for it. — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Faced with the dominion of the identical copy, some modern artists chose to celebrate it; others took a more critical, even antagonistic stance. — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 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 See All Example Sentences for antagonistic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antagonistic

Adjective

That night, Lee goes to Ginger’s house to tell her what happened — about his hostile showdown with the rupidoop, about Brawny Dude With the Butter Candies checking out Lee’s van in the Boontill parking lot.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
The trip to Leeds is another daunting assignment for United in what is usually a hostile atmosphere.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

To that end, Musk’s average favorability rating — net negative 16 percentage points as of Wednesday, according to Decision Desk HQ — has additionally improved, although only slightly, since July 2025 when his favorability was at its nadir.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The beats create ample negative space for Holden to employ riskier flows, often deploying a double-time pace to burn through technically dense passages.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of negative

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antagonist

antagonistic

antagonistically

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“Antagonistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antagonistic. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of antagonistic

adjective

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