Antagonistic Meaning
/ænˌtæɡ.əˈnɪs.tɪk/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjContending or acting against.
adjRelating to an antagonist.
Sentence Examples
The two countries are antagonistic to each other.
Why is Tom being so antagonistic?
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ remarks during the debate only increased the tension between the candidates.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The two neighbors had an ____ relationship for many long years.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English antagonist Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English antagonistic From antagonist + -ic.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"They were distinct, adverse, even antagonistic."
— 1855, Henry Hart Milman, History of Latin Christianity:
"Though the tephrosia is a powerful agent, and, if carried too far beyond the antagonistic action of the poison, is, I presume, not entirely without danger, I have never known any bad symptoms to arise from its use."
— 1866, American Journal of Pharmacy and the Sciences Supporting Public Health:
"And deputies from opposing parties, inherently more antagonistic than deputies from the same party, can be bought at a lower price."
— 2002, Barry Ames, The Deadlock of Democracy in Brazil, page 171:
"The tone of congressional hearings involving tech industry executives in recent years can best be described as antagonistic."
— 2023 May 16, Cecilia Kang, “OpenAI’s Sam Altman Urges A.I. Regulation in Senate Hearing”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ remarks during the debate only increased the tension between the candidates.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The two neighbors had an ____ relationship for many long years.