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 swatting incident was an escalation in a series of threats to Doe’s safety that have roiled her family this week. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

French budget crisis worsens amid student protests France could be on the precipice of a financial crisis, as escalating student protests roiled an already shaky bond market. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

The administration's plan to allow more imports of foreign beef has particularly roiled the agriculture-rich state of Nebraska. — Nicholas Ingram, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, another strategically vital oil route on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, has already roiled energy markets and sent shock waves through the global economy. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 6 Oct. 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