v.
Pronunciation: an- ' ta-g ə - ˌ n ī z
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -nized ; -niz · ing
Etymology: Greek antag ō nizesthai, from anti- + ag ō nizesthai to struggle, from ag ō n contest ― more at AGONY
Date: circa 1742
1 : to act in opposition to : COUNTERACT
2 : to incur or provoke the hostility of <his criticism antagonized his friends>