How to Use ruffle in a Sentence

ruffle

1 of 2 verb
  • Her hair was ruffled by the wind.
  • He ruffled some people with his constant complaining.
  • The skirt is short and ruffled with a slit up the left thigh.
    Tracey Harrington McCoy, Peoplemag, 8 June 2023
  • Hal, as usual, doesn't seem too ruffled by it.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Klæbo lies flat on his back, eyes closed, fleece ruffled around his collar.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Mama pats Rafa’s head then ruffles his hair.
    Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • The bricks under my fingers, a breeze ruffling my hair.
    CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
  • Head coach Dan Muse isn’t one to ruffle feathers.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Better to not ruffle the feathers of the side with deep pockets.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The flouncy ruffled top on this gorgeous swimsuit is the best way to avoid tan lines.
    Emily Shiffer, womenshealthmag.com, 26 Apr. 2023
  • The sweet morning air had yet to succumb to the heat of the day, and a slight breeze ruffled the trees.
    Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
  • The pair run back to a waiting car as the chickens squawk in their arms and ruffle their feathers.
    Christian Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2023
  • Then, ruffle your hair with your fingers for a piece-y, undone finish.
    Krista Carter, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Talking about clients who aren’t yours is going to ruffle feathers.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
  • And the fact of the matter is, that sentence is going to ruffle some feathers.
    Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 3 July 2021
  • Don't let anyone else ruffle your feathers, and things are likely to go more smoothly.
    Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2022
  • The first features a pink rose, ruffled pink carnations, and yellow and white mums.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
  • And that may ruffle the feathers of clients who already jumped to get their hands on this ultra-hot model.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2022
  • Manning’s answer ruffled more than a few feathers.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Those deals would cost a pretty penny to get out of, which is also going to ruffle some feathers.
    Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
  • There’s an essay in the new issue of Fortune that is sure to ruffle some feathers.
    Kinsey Crowley, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2023
  • The flippy ruffled hem alone sets it apart, while a flattering drop waist adds to its airy silhouette.
    Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The flippy ruffled hem alone sets it apart, while a flattering drop waist adds to its airy silhouette.
    Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
  • The males ruffle their tail feathers and two-step into the hearts of females in an effort to get some action.
    Joe Salas august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025
  • True to form, Lil Nas X ruffled all the right fashion feathers with this look.
    Zizi Strater, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2023
  • And that won’t ruffle any feathers in Washington.
    Yan Bennett, The Conversation, 15 May 2026
  • Other tattooers aren’t quite so ruffled by the practice.
    John Semley, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Another stunt to mess with the status quo, to ruffle feathers, to challenge.
    Raven Smith, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2022
  • Initially, Maye didn’t want to ruffle feathers by hogging the ball.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
  • She was known for her candor, which also ruffled a few feathers among those in entertainment along the way.
    Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024

ruffle

2 of 2 noun
  • The ruffle hem adds volume so that the dress moves with you.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
  • Others were padded in ruffles and lace.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The straight fit of the skirt pairs well with the peplum ruffles of the tank top.
    Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The ruffle hem on these silk shorts offers a touch of romance.
    Lauren Caruso, CNN Underscored, 16 Mar. 2021
  • Clumps of fur around the skeletal remains of a dog ruffle in the wind.
    Tyler Hicks Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2023
  • Mafaldine is a long, flat and wide pasta with a ruffle to its edges.
    Aleksandra Crapanzano, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2021
  • The ruffle hem is a sweet detail that looks amazing on these flowy capris.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
  • Three ruffles at the top of the curtain and three at the bottom add a chic touch.
    Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024
  • Some frocks also have fun features like tiers, ruffles, and cut-outs.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2025
  • There's that fish net aspect in there, the ruffles to mimic the coral, the pearls.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • This one includes a bold print with a playful ruffle detail on the front.
    Christie Calucchia, Southern Living, 29 June 2020
  • Yeah, a little pizzazz with the ruffles.
    Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The front of the top was cropped, while extra fabric floated in ruffles at the back.
    Meg Walters, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Some were softened with a chiffon ruffle detail along the seam.
    Colleen Barry, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2022
  • Pair this charming ruffle-trim tank with denim shorts for a low-lift yet polished look.
    Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Her daughter, Amaya, wore a baby pink floor-length dress with ruffles.
    Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Its high collar rose above the jacket, with more ruffles pushing past the sleeves at each wrist.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026
  • The garment featured a knee-length, high-low design with ruffles at the hem.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
  • The dress featured a form-fitting bodice with a high-low bottom that flared out in ruffles.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
  • The secret to styling these pieces is to keep the ruffles either at the top or bottom of your look.
    Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 2 June 2026
  • Glitter, tinsel, ruffles, beads, and lots of color are your best friends.
    Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2025
  • With ruffle sleeves, a smocked empire waist, and a flounce skirt, this dress has the same luxe look as Kate’s.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
  • Adding a dust ruffle around the base of your bed can make this spot even better for keeping messy items hidden.
    Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Both pieces have a bit of flair, with the crop top featuring ruffles at the hem and sleeves and the pants with edgy side slits.
    Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2023
  • The mock neck and long sleeves will keep your upper body nice and warm, and ruffles at the bottom help the dress move with you.
    Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 10 Jan. 2024
  • The two-piece set comes with a ruffle-sleeve top and shorts with a drawstring to adjust the fit to your liking.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 June 2026
  • The dress had a column silhouette with a leather ruffle detail at her hips.
    Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • This dress features a lace overlay with lots of ruffles waiting to flutter on the dance floor.
    Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024
  • Keep the picnic vibes subtle with a single-ruffle dress in a sheer polka-dot print.
    Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, 23 Feb. 2022
  • This ruffle sweater has cute and feminine details in the collar and sleeves.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ruffle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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