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

On longer tracks with more straights, such as Spa in Belgium or Silverstone in the United Kingdom, the experience behind the wheel has been more galling for drivers thanks to the batteries draining faster and being charged less. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Also in Scorsese’s film, Cady’s crimes are so galling that Sam, Cady’s defense lawyer, breaks his own oath to his client and hides evidence that might have helped get Cady off (a change from MacDonald’s novel). — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Holdbacks, lawyer fees and smaller checks What is especially galling, some victims said, is that their compensation for years of fighting for justice will boil down to a day’s pay for a Purdue attorney like Huebner, who charges $2,935 an hour. — Craig R. McCoy, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

What is especially galling, some victims said, is that their compensation for years of fighting for justice will boil down to a day’s pay for a Purdue attorney like Huebner, who charges $2,935 an hour. — Craig R. McCoy, ProPublica, 23 Apr. 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