How to Memorize

antagonize - annoy

Analysis

When you ‘antagonize’ somebody, you provoke them to be hostile and react angrily towards you. This can be done unintentionally as a result of a real or perceived character flaw, or deliberately to unsettle somebody or make them lose their composure.

Example(s)

1. Tom is not capable of dealing with customer complaints in a professional manner. All he does is antagonize them further with his poor attitude.

2. Our boss shoots down every suggestion that the team makes to her in a dismissive, antagonistic way, then wonders why staff morale is so low.

3. The setting up of peace talks between the two factions after years of mutual antagonism was a major breakthrough.