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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rile different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rile are exasperate, irritate, nettle, peeve, and provoke. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

When would exasperate be a good substitute for rile?

In some situations, the words exasperate and rile are roughly equivalent. However, exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When is it sensible to use irritate instead of rile?

Although the words irritate and rile have much in common, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When is nettle a more appropriate choice than rile?

The words nettle and rile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When can peeve be used instead of rile?

While the synonyms peeve and rile are close in meaning, peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

When could provoke be used to replace rile?

The synonyms provoke and rile are sometimes interchangeable, but provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rile The perpetrator is obviously deranged, but posts like Min’s might rile up and radicalize the next deranged person. Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025 With Petro’s term coming to an end next year and the leader not up for reelection, candidates may seek to rile up anti-American sentiment in the country or to appeal to Trump by campaigning for a tougher approach. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Sep. 2025 Getting rid of the tush push will not stop the issue everyone is riled up about. Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 Inflammation also riles up the immune system, which can spiral out of control and attack the heart and other organs. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
Verb
  • Ball doesn’t seem annoyed by the memes yet, but the NBA season hasn’t officially started, so there’s still time.
    Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
  • He was annoyed when people advocated that.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After Kibaki’s victory was declared, the president was inaugurated in a strange dusk ceremony that infuriated Odinga’s camp.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The attack infuriated Italy and Italians, who were upset that the United States didn't hold accountable those involved in the mob.
    Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Combining three different actives (AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs) in one product without totally irritating the skin seems like an impossible task, yet Some by Mi has accomplished it with this ease.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water and drink through a straw to avoid damaging tooth enamel and irritating the esophagus.
    Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While one of her first moves — pushing specialized teachers into vacant classroom teaching jobs — angered the teachers' union, the new bonus for retirees was an idea that came from the union president, Ingrid Walker-Henry.
    Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • This move had angered India, which pointed to China not getting punished despite its role as an even bigger importer of Russian energy.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Such hard coaching would bother some players.
    Jay King, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … HIT THE ROAD – Duffy responds to trucker who 'couldn't be bothered' to learn English in America.
    , FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Michael was similarly enraged by the support.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The funniest part to me is that amid this violence — as someone is literally trying to kill him — the thing that enrages Beom-mo the most is when his wife’s top starts to slip down.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These regimes persecute minorities, jail anyone who speaks freely, and rule through fear and censorship.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Blasphemy accusations have been used repeatedly to persecute Christians and other religious minorities in the country.
    Sean Nelson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Chinch bugs overwinter in moist, deep thatch.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Co-worker bugging you during heads down time?
    Sam Woodward, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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