Word: Antagonise
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To antagonise someone means to make them feel angry, hostile, or unfriendly towards you. It can also mean to act in a way that opposes or challenges someone or something.
Usage Instructions:
When to Use: You can use "antagonise" when you are talking about actions or words that upset someone or make them feel opposed to you. It is often used in situations where relationships are strained or conflict arises.
Form: The base form is "antagonise." The past tense is "antagonised," and the present participle is "antagonising."
Examples:
Basic Use: "If you keep interrupting her, you will antagonise your friend."
Advanced Use: "His refusal to compromise on any issue simply antagonised his colleagues during the negotiations."
Word Variants:
Different Meanings:
Provoke Hostility: As in making someone feel angry or opposed, e.g., "His rude comments antagonised the audience."
Act in Opposition: To take a position against someone or something, e.g., "The new policy antagonised many employees."
Synonyms:
Provoked
Irritated
Offended
Opposed
Challenged
Idioms:
While there aren’t direct idioms that include "antagonise," you might hear phrases that convey a similar meaning, such as: - "Rub someone the wrong way" (to irritate or annoy someone).
Phrasal Verbs:
There are no specific phrasal verbs that use "antagonise," but you might encounter phrases like: - "Get on someone's bad side" (to do something that makes someone dislike you).
Conclusion:
Remember that "antagonise" is about creating conflict or making someone unhappy.