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

When picked, the department’s new chief will inherit a police force roiled by controversy and lawsuits in recent years. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

The meeting comes at a critical time as conflicts roil the Middle East and Europe, putting the bloc to one of its biggest tests since its founding 20 years ago. — Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Traders are betting inflation rates will remain higher for longer, roiling global politics. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Control of this corridor, which handles about $1 trillion in goods annually, could let the Houthis choke Saudi oil exports, drive prices well above $100 a barrel and roil global markets. — Ahmed Al-Haj, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 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