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

Washington — Americans are growing more pessimistic about the US economy as the war on Iran continues to roil markets, with sentiment falling across all income groups — including the wealthiest. —Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026

The whales started roiling and a sudden gush of blood reddened the water. —Nathan Rott, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026

Lucas’ amendment marked the mayor’s first formal maneuver in response to the federal criminal investigation that has roiled City Hall over the past year. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026

Governments across Asia are preparing for worst-case energy scenarios that could include a prolonged and severe disruption to supplies, as the US and Iran remain at odds over proposals to end a conflict that has roiled global markets. —Claire Jiao, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 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