antagonize someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "antagonize someone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing actions that provoke or create hostility towards another person. Example: "His constant teasing began to antagonize her, leading to a heated argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Don't antagonize someone who's angry, and don't disregard someone who's sad.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As an adult, Zimmerman also should have been held to a higher standard when pursuing and antagonizing someone younger.

Huffington Post

While we doubt Twitter had anything but good intentions here, changing blocking because a blocker might be antagonizing or inciting someone they've blocked just by blocking them will likely not sit well with victims of harassment.

TechCrunch

Alligator wrestling which involves poking the gators, putting your hand in their mouths, and generally antagonizing them until someone declares you the victor is a dying art.

Vice

That every antagonist you have is someone you've antagonized.

Huffington Post

One source, asking not to be identified, said that Mr. Weill was determined to keep a low profile so as not to antagonize directors or stampede them into picking someone else.

The New York Times

"They've polluted the air, they've antagonized the communities they work in, and now they've killed someone," said John Kaehny, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, a watchdog group.

The New York Times

"He would antagonize people.

The New Yorker

"It does no good to antagonize them".

The New York Times

"No one wants to antagonize anyone".

The New York Times

Johnson chose to antagonize the doves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use strong verbs with similar meaning if you aim for a more nuanced message.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "antagonize someone" can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, diversify your vocabulary with synonyms like "provoke someone" or "irritate someone" to enhance clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "antagonize someone" functions as a verb phrase, with 'antagonize' acting as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ('someone'). It expresses the action of causing someone to feel hostile or irritated, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "antagonize someone" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes actions provoking irritation or hostility. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts. While its usage is common, considering alternative expressions like "provoke someone" or "irritate someone" can enhance the nuance and clarity of your writing, especially in formal settings. The phrase appears most often in News & Media and Wiki sources. Understanding the connotations and potential impact of using "antagonize" is crucial for effective and sensitive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Provoke someone

This alternative focuses on initiating a reaction, which may or may not be negative.

Irritate someone

This suggests causing annoyance or frustration, which is a milder form of antagonism.

Aggravate someone

This implies making someone's existing annoyance or anger worse.

Annoy someone

Similar to irritate, this means causing mild displeasure.

Incite someone

This suggests urging or encouraging someone to act, often in a negative or violent way.

Offend someone

This implies causing someone to feel hurt or upset, often unintentionally.

Pester someone

This means bothering someone persistently with requests or interruptions.

Harass someone

This denotes aggressive pressure or intimidation.

Bully someone

This implies intimidating or mistreating someone, often repeatedly.

Alienate someone

This suggests causing someone to feel isolated or estranged.

FAQs

How can I use "antagonize someone" in a sentence?

You can use "antagonize someone" to describe actions that deliberately provoke or irritate another person. For example: "His constant teasing began to "antagonize someone", leading to a heated argument."

What are some alternatives to "antagonize someone"?

You can use alternatives like "provoke someone", "irritate someone", or "aggravate someone" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "antagonize someone" or "provoke someone"?

Both "antagonize someone" and "provoke someone" are correct, but "antagonize" suggests a more intentional and negative form of irritation, while "provoke" can simply mean to elicit a response.

What does it mean to "antagonize" someone?

To "antagonize" someone means to cause them to become annoyed, irritated, or hostile, often intentionally. It implies actions that are likely to provoke a negative reaction.