galling

1 of 2

adjective

gall·​ing ˈgȯ-liŋ 

: markedly irritating : vexing

a most galling defeat

gallingly

ˈgȯ-liŋ-lē 

adverb

galling

2 of 2

present participle of gall entry 2

Synonyms of galling

Adjective

• frustrating
• annoying
• irritating
• disturbing

Examples of galling in a Sentence

Adjective

This is a galling defeat.

her holier-than-thou attitude is galling

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Among the many glaring issues coming out of the opener, the offense’s inability to sustain drives was particularly galling. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

But that sympathy can’t quite make up for the galling fact of Nelson’s sons, now teenagers stuck in limbo as a father figure stubbornly insists on courting further ruin. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

There were surrendered leads against Chelsea in the 2008-09 FA Cup final and, perhaps more galling, against a weaker-than-usual Liverpool side in a 2011-12 FA Cup semi-final. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

What was particularly galling, according to sources at the meeting, was the plan for the building’s union employees. — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of gall entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1583, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for galling

• balling
• bawling
• brawling
• calling
• colling
• crawling
• drawling
• falling
• hauling
• lolling
• spalling
• sprawling

Kids Definition

galling

adjective

gall·​ing ˈgȯ-liŋ 

: very irritating : vexing