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

Indeed, more than a year after the program was cut, the debate over what happened—and who is at fault—continues to roil. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026

During the many scenes of roiling seas and inevitable shipwrecks, the shaking met the action appropriately. — Matt Minton, Variety, 22 July 2026

The closure of the strategic waterway could significantly disrupt global trade and further roil oil markets. — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Carson knew that Belafonte would address issues then roiling the country that would, that summer, explode into riots. — Joshua Jelly-Schapiro, Vanity Fair, 21 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