antagonizingadj.
/anˈtaɡənʌɪzɪŋ/, U.S. /ænˈtæɡəˌnaɪzɪŋ/ 1. That counteracts or neutralizes an action, process, etc.; acting in opposition or antagonism to something else.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > [adjective] > mutually
antagonistical1610
antagonistica1637
clashing1660
warring1703
antagonizing1751
antagonal1839
1751 tr. H. Boerhaave Acad. Lect. Theory of Physic (ed. 2) I. 328 The Pelvis..being furnished with no antagonising Muscles [L. nullis musculis firmatam, qui reliquum abdomen validi coercent], receives the Force of all the other Parts of the Abdomen.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. v. 486 This step was vehemently opposed..by the antagonizing party.
1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect i. iv. 263 The two antagonizing classes of muscles.
1901 Science 3 May 694/2 The blood serum of non-immunized animals did not possess this antagonizing action.
1936 W. Stiles Introd. Princ. Plant Physiol. iv. 85 As the curves indicate it would appear that the presence of the antagonizing salt does not merely retard the rate of entry of the dye, but alters the position of the equilibrium attained in the intake of the dye.
2000 D. Howarth & Y. Stavrakakis in D. Howarth et al. Disc. Theory & Polit. Anal. i. 10 This ‘blockage’ of identity is a mutual experience for both the antagonising force and the force that is being antagonised.
2. Of two or more forces: acting in mutual opposition or antagonism; that counteract or oppose one another.
ΚΠ
1796 Ess. by Soc. of Gentlemen Exeter xxiii. 519 Light and heat..usually appear to be antagonizing principles.
1821 J. Bentham Elements Art of Packing 231 To..reconcile..to each other the antagonizing ends of justice.
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. iii. xv. §2 A complete equipoise between these antagonizing forces.
1905 Cumulative Bk. Index Jan. 363/1 A love story of the south in which the antagonising traits of northern and southern character furnish the basis for the plot.
1964 P. A. Sorokin Basic Trends of our Times v. 166 Cooperative, altruistic forces are biologically more important and vital than antagonizing forces.
2004 N. Baas in H. Gardner NATO & European Union iii. x. 186 Both the Habsburg Empire and Imperial Germany were guided by the antagonizing systems of alliances in Europe.
3. That provokes antagonism, annoyance, or hostility; antagonistic, irritating.In quot. 1896 perhaps influenced by agonizing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irritation > [adjective] > irritating
stinginga1250
provocativea1600
nettling1607
provokinga1643
provocating1651
urging1655
aggravating1685
irritating1707
piquing1794
enfevering1799
naggy1825
exasperative1837
raspish1854
exasperating1858
nagging1859
riling1860
provocatory1870
irritative1878
enraging1880
irritant1885
naggish1885
antagonizing1896
teasy1901
soddish1922
pissy1930
jerk1947
needling1958
1896 Woman's Med. Jrnl. 5 240/1 If the course of a disease is marked by any very antagonizing symptom, it is of course more or less distressing.
1913 Boston Post 1 Apr. 8/4 He was worried about his son's abrupt and antagonizing manner.
1927 Bakersfield (Calif.) Morning Echo 18 Sept. 3/5 Sometimes parents have an antagonizing way of speaking, or an irritating sound in their voice which arouses resentment.
1935 Times Lit. Suppl. 28 Mar. 212/2 The manner in which the author has chosen to describe this train journey..has..a slightly antagonizing effect on the reader.
1978 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 14 Mar. 4/2 [His] intransigence on the settlements issue has obviously had a deeply antagonizing effect.
2013 G. Corbett This is Way viii. 72 There was reasons your father was bad to your mother... Your mother could be antagonising.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1751