as in irritating
causing annoyance
for some air travelers, the most rankling aspect of the security measures seems to be the restrictions regarding carry-on baggage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in raging
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
that kind of rude treatment from a young person makes me rankle
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in angering
to make angry
it rankles me when some schools can't even afford paper and pencils for the students
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rankling
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Matthew quickly schemes his way into Oliver’s orbit after that first performance, impressing and rankling the group of lackeys in his entourage at the same time.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Trump's administration has come under intense criticism over its handling of records related to the case, rankling many leading voices within the MAGA-sphere.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Matthew quickly schemes his way into Oliver’s orbit after that first performance, impressing and rankling the group of lackeys in his entourage at the same time.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankling
Adjective
-
Critics note the time and effort needed to remove stubborn labels—after all, few things are more irritating than peeling off a label and being met with sticky residue.—
Caelan McMichael,
Allure,
7 Oct. 2025
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Dermatologically tested and non-irritating, Coperni C+ is crafted from materials engineered to support both your skin and body, marking a bold new step in the future of functional fashion.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As alleged in multiple ongoing lawsuits against Riverside Church, Lorch terrorized and abused many of his players, using his money, power, and stature to satisfy his raging pedophilia.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Following physical and emotional abuse, Lafferty became an anxious child who was constantly afraid of angering adults around her.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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The new program, Train SMART, also risks angering a network of grassroots chapters and gun violence prevention volunteers at Everytown.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Glass water repellent acts as a protective barrier that causes rain droplets or water to roll away instead of drying and sticking to your glass (then causing those annoying spots).—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
-
They were not allowed to stay in private homes — annoying for sometime Paris resident Serena Williams — but could eat out at Paris restaurants.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Its most famous dish is its roasted pork bun ($3), which is enjoyed best while steaming hot.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
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Plus, the material is wrinkle-free, which will save you from steaming it in the mornings.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The journey, first to Paris and then through Switzerland and Milan and onwards to Venice, was for the most part pleasant, being blessedly free of many of the wearisome and often infuriating hindrances and misdirections that rail travel usually entails.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
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Don’t be surprised if this is a hot-hand situation, though, and rather infuriating.—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had another frustrating game with three interceptions in the one-score loss.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Sure, Riley’s first three seasons with the Trojans have been largely underwhelming — and a last-second loss to Illinois was the sort of defeat that’s become all too familiar and all too frustrating for the fan base — but USC’s coach is far too expensive to fire.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The fuel dump, one of the largest in Crimea, is fiercely burning.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Tozer St / Ave 15 Fire has been burning on private land.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rankling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankling. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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