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

The West Coast From Christchurch, the TranzAlpine train climbs westward, up and over the Southern Alps, traversing large viaducts which span roiling rivers. —Steve Madgwick, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2026

Trump’s efforts to downsize the federal government also roiled the capital region, costing thousands of people their jobs. —ABC News, 18 June 2026

Trump and Iran’s lead negotiator signed an agreement on Monday to extend a tenuous ceasefire by 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, raising hopes for an end to the historic energy shock that has roiled global markets and clouded the growth outlook. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 June 2026

Homicide and nonfatal shooting totals fell again in 2023, but the city was roiled by robbery and carjacking crews responsible for an overall uptick in violence. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 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