Synonyms of roil

roil

verb

ˈrȯi(-ə)l 

1

as in to swirl

to be in a state of violent rolling motion

the waters of the gulf tossed and roiled as the hurricane surged toward the shore

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swirl
• churn
• boil
• seethe
• spin
• whirl
• stir
• moil
• reel
• agitate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• abate
• subside

2

as in to anger

to make angry

the clerk's brusque refusal of her request roiled her enough to prompt a complaint to his supervisor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anger
• infuriate
• enrage
• annoy
• outrage
• irritate
• rile
• inflame
• rankle
• mad
• ire
• offend
• aggravate
• steam up
• provoke
• incense
• madden
• tick off
• vex
• exasperate
• rub the wrong way
• affront
• get one's goat
• pique
• ruffle
• cross
• antagonize
• burn (up)
• embitter
• put out
• huff
• miff
• nettle
• get
• peeve
• envenom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• please
• relieve
• delight
• gratify
• allay
• assuage
• soothe
• placate
• appease
• settle
• pacify
• comfort
• console
• calm
• conciliate
• quiet
• lull
• mollify
• charm
• disarm
• captivate
• beguile
• bewitch
• enchant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of roil

The revelation is the latest example of how engaging the technology — and obfuscating such use — can roil audiences eager to support new films. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026

Tariff upheaval has roiled trading relationships on a global scale, but an ongoing dialogue is taking place between brands and their suppliers. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026

Skip to main content Country legend, activist, and all-around good guy Willie Nelson has weighed in on the data-center debate that is currently roiling America’s city council meetings and political races. — Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 28 July 2026

Indeed, more than a year after the program was cut, the debate over what happened—and who is at fault—continues to roil. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026