roil

verb

ˈrȯi(-ə)l 

transitive sense 2 is also

ˈrī(-ə)l 

roiled; roiling; roils

transitive verb

1

a

: to make turbid by stirring up the sediment or dregs of

b

: to stir up : disturb, disorder

a crisis roiling the stock market

2

: rile sense 1

intransitive verb

: to move turbulently : be in a state of turbulence or agitation

conflicting emotions roiling inside her

Synonyms of roil

• swirl
• churn
• boil
• seethe

Examples of roil in a Sentence

Financial markets have been roiled by the banking crisis.

the waters of the gulf tossed and roiled as the hurricane surged toward the shore

Recent Examples on the Web

Graphic videos of the shooting flooded social media and politicians on both sides of the aisle condemned the killing – one example of the political violence roiling America in recent years. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Rescue efforts continued Friday amid roiling floodwaters in parts of southeast Missouri, where nearly a foot of rain fell in some areas earlier in the day and more was expected. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 10 July 2026

Voter fraud roils an election The presidential election of 1840 arguably didn’t go very well for either the challenger William Henry Harrison or the incumbent Martin Van Buren. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026

But being unequivocal about the end of the ceasefire also could free up Iran militarily — which could again roil oil prices and financial markets. — Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for roil

• boil
• broil
• coil
• foil
• oil
• soil
• spoil
• toil
• voile
• aerofoil
• cinquefoil
• hydrofoil

Kids Definition

roil

verb

ˈrȯi(ə)l 

sense 2 is also ˈrī(ə)l

1

: to make cloudy or muddy by stirring up

roil the water of a brook

2

: to rouse the anger of