as in angered
feeling or showing anger
our supervisor was rankled by all the unexpected delays and problems we ran into
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stormed
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
that kind of rude treatment from a young person makes me rankle
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in infuriated
to make angry
it rankles me when some schools can't even afford paper and pencils for the students
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rankled
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
This has rankled many in America’s spy community.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Nov. 2024
The new labor movement has clearly rankled prominent tech figures, Musk among them.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024
Those comments rankled Swayman’s agent Lewis Gross, who posted a response to Neely on social media.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Verb
One part of Harris’ platform particularly rankled Sasse.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
This has rankled many in America’s spy community.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Nov. 2024
The new labor movement has clearly rankled prominent tech figures, Musk among them.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024
Those comments rankled Swayman’s agent Lewis Gross, who posted a response to Neely on social media.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankled
Verb
-
The sequence of events clearly angered Bain.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The move angered fans, and a scandal over offensive remarks Richards had made on a podcast led him to quit before his episodes aired.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
During a House Democratic caucus meeting, Jeffries presided over what sources described as an energetic caucus in which Democrats raged over being cut out of negotiations on the bill.—
Andrew Solender,
Axios,
20 Dec. 2024
-
This, as war raged in Europe, with Putin’s brutal campaign against Ukraine.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The newspaper includes the story of how Brando was enraged to discover his voice had been dubbed by an Italian actor for the local version.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2025
-
But conservatives said they were enraged by the legislation.—
Catie Edmondson,
New York Times,
18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
One of her twisted arms is lopped off by an angry audience member and turns into a firehose of blood.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Trashing a guy’s car is nothing new among angry exes, but one Florida woman took it to an absurd level after having a little too much to drink, according to Florida investigators.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Big, sometimes uncontrollable emotions are a normal part of growing up, and gentle parents at least try to not dismiss their or get annoyed with their kids when those challenging moments come up.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Initially annoyed by his bubbly personality, Jovie eventually warms up to Buddy, and the pair fall in love.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The album’s a masterpiece of circulatory funk that works your body but whose indignant resignation and few hopeful embers also break your heart.—
Wesley Morris,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2025
-
In his first news conference since he the head injury on Sept. 12, Tagovailoa appeared somewhat indignant, especially when asked about how his concussion history will impact his NFL future.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Richard Arnold, the chief executive whose departure had already been announced, went round the room and shook everyone’s hand, expressing his belief the future at United would be bright.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
23 Dec. 2024
-
The camera then cut to Johansson, who shook her head while grimacing.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
While Nigerians are upset with economic conditions, most are not mad at Dangote.—
John Hyatt,
Forbes,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Yellow blossoms on little-leaf green-twig shrubs attract local bees, and butterflies flutter in a mad dance around sprays of blue mistflower.—
Sunshine Flint,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rankled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankled. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share