as in irritating
causing annoyance
for some air travelers, the most rankling aspect of the security measures seems to be the restrictions regarding carry-on baggage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in raging
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 angering
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
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Recent Examples of rankling
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
The actress, producer and book club founder took to social media to speak out about leaning in to artificial intelligence, rankling some of her followers in the process.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
But Johnson recalled how in 2024 Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed undocumented people to work at public universities, rankling activists.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
But when Russia invaded Ukraine, South Africa repeatedly abstained from United Nations votes on the war—rankling officials in Washington.
—Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2025
Matthew quickly schemes his way into Oliver’s orbit after that first performance, impressing and rankling the group of lackeys in his entourage at the same time.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Herald has learned Council President Liz Breadon visited councilors individually during the recess to ask them to push off the budget vote, rankling Weber, who had recommended a favorable vote take place at the day’s session.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
The actress, producer and book club founder took to social media to speak out about leaning in to artificial intelligence, rankling some of her followers in the process.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
But Johnson recalled how in 2024 Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed undocumented people to work at public universities, rankling activists.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
But when Russia invaded Ukraine, South Africa repeatedly abstained from United Nations votes on the war—rankling officials in Washington.
—Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2025
Matthew quickly schemes his way into Oliver’s orbit after that first performance, impressing and rankling the group of lackeys in his entourage at the same time.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankling
Adjective
-
The post carried neither hereditary title nor extraordinary fortune, and yet it was regarded with a degree of respect that many noble families found faintly irritating.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
-
And compared with stronger anti-aging ingredients like retinoids or chemical exfoliants, copper peptides are generally considered less irritating and are often well-tolerated by sensitive skin.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Even a raging campfire might throw only 30 or 40 lux.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
-
This question stabs at the heart of the culture war that is currently raging in America.—
Dr. Matthew Warshauer,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The university, its athletic department and anyone associated with it haven't done the Red Raiders and their quarterback any favors, either, with people like head coach Joey Maguire and billionaire booster Cody Campbell sounding off on the issue and only angering fans further.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
-
The Star, which also looked into the killing, revealed that Jordan’s associations with organized crime figures, as well as his apparent disregard for angering them, likely contributed to his death.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Scam texts are annoying for everyone.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2026
-
Others have blamed everything from feminism and long work commutes to annoying kiddy car seats.—
Tom Deignan,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Primitive manmade paths have been carved among the hills, which are dotted with steaming vents, small rivers, and glacial ice.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
-
When in doubt, stick to food that is cooked and served steaming hot.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The Iranians moved their training base from Arizona to Mexico, and the team has been required to leave Los Angeles right after both matches, infuriating Ghalenoei.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 June 2026
-
If only the look from the outside-in had measured up the same way instead of descending into a fiasco as thousands faced infuriating delays getting to the stadium.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
If this World Cup has been trying for Iran, it’s been frustrating for Belgium, which hasn’t scored a goal of its own.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
The Netherlands are coming off a frustrating 2-2 draw against Japan and desperately need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
The fire at a cold storage facility in Boyle Heights began burning Wednesday, hours after Bass departed for the dedication of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
-
The heat has been amplified by climate change, driven by humans burning fossil fuels.—
Taylor Ward,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rankling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankling. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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