antagonizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "antagonizing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of causing someone to feel hostility or resentment, often through provocation or irritation. Example: "His constant teasing was antagonizing her, making it difficult for her to concentrate on her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Letterman also became known for antagonizing some notable guests; Cher, for example, was moved to curse him on camera.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These drugs were shown to be extremely effective in antagonizing the action of histamine in stimulating acid secretion and in blocking other stimulants of acid secretion, including the hormone gastrin and food.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Book of Common Prayer succeeded only in antagonizing Protestants and Roman Catholics alike.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The British East India Company, conscious of the disadvantages of unnecessarily antagonizing its Indian subjects, excluded all Christian missionary activity from its territories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The success of the Unionist forces in the election of 1917 ensured a continuation of Borden's policies of total commitment to the war effort and an international role for Canada but at the price of antagonizing the French-Canadian population, who were unrepresented in the government and opposed to its policies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But war stretched the company to the limit, disrupting its trade and thus antagonizing opinion at home.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He studied law and served on the staff of Gen. George Washington during the American Revolution (1775 83) but was transferred after antagonizing him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then, when the Naṣrid ruler Abū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī (1466 85) introduced a succession struggle at home, while externally antagonizing Castile by refusing to pay tribute, Naṣrid rule was finally ended by the Christian conquest of Granada (1492).

Encyclopedia Britannica

He accused the Russian President of antagonizing the US by granting Snowden asylum for one year.

Independent

Jackson, among others, wanted to punish the Soviet Union for its Jewish-emigration policy, and for its persecution of dissidents like Andrei Sakharov; his criticism intensified when Ford and Kissinger, worried about antagonizing the Soviets, snubbed Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

The New Yorker

India, wary of antagonizing the Bush Administration, chose not to denounce the airlift at the time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "antagonizing", consider the intensity of the negative reaction you want to convey. It's stronger than "annoying" but less severe than "inciting hatred".

Common error

Avoid using "antagonizing" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "challenging" or "hindering" might be more appropriate. It can sound too accusatory.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "antagonizing" is as a present participle or gerund form of the verb "antagonize". It describes an ongoing action of causing someone to feel hostile or unfavorable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

26%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "antagonizing" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of causing hostility or resentment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in English. While frequently encountered in News & Media and Encyclopedias, it may be less suitable for highly formal contexts. When writing, consider the intensity you wish to convey, as it is stronger than "annoying" but less extreme than other alternatives. Related options include "provoking", "irritating", and "angering", offering nuanced ways to express causing someone to become unfavorable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoking

Focuses more on the act of inciting a reaction, which may or may not result in hostility.

irritating

Emphasizes the annoyance caused, often of a less severe nature than antagonizing.

aggravating

Highlights the worsening of a situation or feeling, implying a pre-existing negative state.

angering

Directly implies causing someone to become angry, focusing on the emotion.

offending

Suggests causing displeasure or hurt feelings, often unintentionally.

vexing

Indicates a state of being annoyed or worried, often about trivial matters.

riling up

Implies stirring up excitement or anger, often in a group.

incensing

Suggests causing extreme anger or outrage.

exasperating

Highlights the frustration caused, often due to repeated actions or behaviors.

pestering

Focuses on repeatedly bothering or annoying someone, often in a persistent manner.

FAQs

How can I use "antagonizing" in a sentence?

You can use "antagonizing" to describe actions that provoke hostility or resentment. For example, "His constant criticism was antagonizing his colleagues."

What are some alternatives to "antagonizing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "provoking", "irritating", or "angering".

What's the difference between "antagonizing" and "irritating"?

"Antagonizing" implies a stronger, more deliberate action that leads to hostility, while "irritating" suggests a milder form of annoyance.

Is "antagonizing" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "antagonizing" might be too informal for certain professional contexts. Consider more neutral alternatives such as "challenging" or "hindering".