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Preposition after adjective

Antagonistic to or antagonistic towards?

Both antagonistic to and antagonistic towards are used. To is common for opposition in general, while towards often highlights behaviour or attitude toward people.

Quick answer

Antagonistic to vs. antagonistic towards

Use antagonistic to for opposition or incompatibility. Use antagonistic towards mainly for hostile attitudes or behaviour toward people or groups.

Their policies are antagonistic to environmental goals.
He became antagonistic towards his colleagues.
The two ideas are antagonistic to each other.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
antagonistic to + idea/group

Showing opposition or conflict

To is common with systems, ideas, interests, or groups.

The proposal is antagonistic to local traditions.
2
antagonistic towards + person/group

Describing hostile behaviour

Towards often emphasises attitude or conduct.

Some fans were antagonistic towards the referee.
3
deeply antagonistic to + noun

Emphasising strong opposition

Adverbs often strengthen the adjective.

She remains deeply antagonistic to censorship.
4
openly antagonistic towards + people

Describing visible hostility

Towards is common in interpersonal contexts.

The manager was openly antagonistic towards new staff.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
antagonistic to
The policy is antagonistic to innovation.
Opposed or harmful to something.
antagonistic towards
He was antagonistic towards reporters.
Hostile in attitude or behaviour toward people.
antagonistic toward
She became antagonistic toward the committee.
Toward is an alternative spelling, especially in American English.
antagonistic against
Antagonistic against is not the usual pattern.
Generally nonstandard after antagonistic.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using against after antagonistic

Use to or towards instead.

✕ They are antagonistic against change. ✓ They are antagonistic to change.

Confusing ideas and people

To often suits abstract opposition; towards often suits interpersonal hostility.

✕ He was antagonistic to his employees during meetings. ✓ He was antagonistic towards his employees during meetings.

Omitting the preposition

Antagonistic normally needs a following preposition.

✕ The groups were antagonistic each other. ✓ The groups were antagonistic to each other.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company is antagonistic ___ regulation.
2. She sounded antagonistic ___ the interviewer.
3. The two approaches are antagonistic ___ each other.

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Frequently asked questions

Are antagonistic to and antagonistic towards both correct?

Yes, but they often emphasise slightly different meanings.

Can I use toward instead of towards?

Yes. Toward is common in American English.

Is antagonistic formal?

It is more formal than hostile or unfriendly.

abhorrent-to-in-for-of, about "ablaze with" or "ablaze in"? "able for" or "able in"? "abreast of" or "abreast with"? "absent from" or "absent in"? absolute in, for, of, to or as? "absurd to", "absurd in" or "absurd for"? abundant in, with, of, on or for? "abusive to", "abusive in" or "abusive towards"? "academic in" or "academic at"? "acceptable to" or "acceptable for"? accessible to, by, for, from or in?

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