antagonise

USAGE SUMMARY

'antagonise' is a legitimate word in English and is used to describe the act of being hostile toward someone or something.
Example sentence: His comments about the issue were seen as an attempt to antagonize the other members of the team.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

London gangs are drawing up and disseminating lists of teenage girls whom they consider to be legitimate rape targets, as sexual violence is increasingly used to spread fear and antagonise rival groups.

The Guardian

"The government won time, it got a four-month extension to the adjustment programme, but it was a lousy deal, and that's because this new government managed to antagonise the euro group, the German government, the European Central Bank, Spain and Portugal from the outset with its negotiating stance," said Giorgos Kyrtsos, a Euro-MP with the centre-right New Democracy party.

The Guardian

Inspired as a teenager by Jim Morrison's stage theatrics and how he would antagonise the audience, He would shake, rattle and yowl at early Stooges shows, and even now always performs topless.

The Guardian - Music

But like Mr Perry he has taken some moderate positions, in his case on gun control as well as immigration, that might antagonise the conservative base.

The Economist

Both must show their readiness to talk, lest they needlessly antagonise the next American administration.

The Economist

America would do well to befriend changing Japan, rather than antagonise it.Japan may also start to play a bigger role abroad.

The Economist

India, intent on closer ties with China, probably does not want the Karmapa to antagonise Beijing.Not just HollywoodThe fear that the Dalai Lama's death will be a disaster for the Tibetan cause looks justified.

The Economist

This is likely to antagonise the banks that currently dominate that market.Spotting who will come out on top in all this is not easy.

The Economist

But much of what it recommends is likely to prove politically difficult to implement particularly its proposals for public transport, which are likely to antagonise motorists.

The Economist

Other ideas will be very costly and will antagonise the Treasury.

The Economist

Is that because you don't want to antagonise a large part of your wealthy readership?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. "Antagonise" implies a deliberate action intended to provoke hostility or opposition, which might not always be the most accurate term. Ensure that you are not simply describing disagreement or causing unintentional offense.

Common error

Avoid using "antagonise" when a more neutral word like "disagree" or "challenge" would be more appropriate. Overusing "antagonise" can make your writing sound unnecessarily aggressive or biased. For example, instead of saying "His comments antagonized the audience" if it was a friendly debate, consider "His comments challenged the audience."

Linguistic Context

The verb "antagonise" functions primarily to describe an action that intentionally provokes hostility or opposition. It indicates a deliberate effort to create conflict or animosity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "antagonise" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that describes the act of intentionally provoking hostility or opposition. According to Ludwig AI, the word is a legitimate part of the English language. It is primarily found in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight deliberate efforts to incite conflict. While interchangeable with alternatives like "provoke" and "irritate", it's crucial to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, avoiding its overuse in place of milder terms. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, understanding these subtleties ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoke

Implies a deliberate action to elicit a response, which may or may not be negative; "antagonise" suggests a more specifically negative or hostile reaction.

alienate

Emphasizes the result of causing someone to feel isolated or estranged, while "antagonise" focuses on the act of instigating conflict.

aggravate

Focuses on making a situation or feeling worse, which can include provoking someone; "antagonise" is more directly about inciting opposition.

irritate

Suggests a milder form of annoyance or displeasure compared to the more active opposition implied by "antagonise".

incense

Signifies causing extreme anger or outrage, a stronger emotion than typically associated with "antagonise".

offend

Focuses on causing hurt feelings or disrespect, whereas "antagonise" is more about inciting opposition or hostility.

rile up

An informal phrase suggesting stirring up anger or excitement, often in a group; "antagonise" is more general and can apply to individuals.

vex

Implies causing persistent annoyance or frustration, often in a petty way; "antagonise" suggests a more significant level of opposition.

stir up

Implies creating trouble or excitement, which may not necessarily be negative; "antagonise" always carries a negative connotation of inciting hostility.

ruffle feathers

An idiomatic expression meaning to disturb or upset someone, particularly by challenging their views; "antagonise" implies a more direct confrontation.

FAQs

How can I use "antagonise" in a sentence?

You can use "antagonise" to describe actions that intentionally provoke hostility, for example: "The politician's speech was designed to "antagonise" his opponents."

What's a good alternative to "antagonise"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "provoke", "irritate", or "alienate" to convey similar but slightly different meanings.

Is "antagonise" or "antagonize" correct?

"Antagonise" is the British English spelling, while "antagonize" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but it's important to be consistent within your writing.

What's the difference between "antagonise" and "offend"?

"Antagonise" implies deliberately provoking someone to create conflict, while "offend" means to cause hurt feelings or disrespect, which may not be intentional. "Antagonising" someone is often a strategic move, while "offending" someone can be accidental.