What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
antagonize
Example
He always tries to antagonize his sister by teasing her. [antagonize: verb]
Example
The politician's controversial statements antagonized many voters. [antagonized: past tense]
annoy
Example
The loud music from the party next door is starting to annoy me. [annoy: verb]
Example
Her constant interruptions during the meeting annoyed her colleagues. [annoyed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Annoy is more commonly used than antagonize in everyday language. Annoy is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while antagonize is less common and tends to be used in situations involving more intense conflicts or challenges.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between antagonize and annoy?
While antagonize is typically associated with a more formal or serious tone, annoy is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.