1
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
that kind of rude treatment from a young person makes me rankle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to infuriate
to make angry
it rankles me when some schools can't even afford paper and pencils for the students
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rankle
Such an ultimatum would likely have rankled European capitals, but many would have complied.
—
Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025
So the letter’s high-minded tone will rankle, no doubt.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
The host nation’s representatives Inter Miami’s inclusion particularly rankles other Major League Soccer fans as Miami got the host’s spot by winning the Supporters’ Shield, rather than the MLS Cup which was won by LA Galaxy.
—Steve Price, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
That intel could have assuaged concerns about Diggs’ locker-room presence that rankled some in Minnesota and Buffalo, but mostly has been described as an overflowing competitiveness and desire for the ball.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rankle
Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025
So the letter’s high-minded tone will rankle, no doubt.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
The host nation’s representatives Inter Miami’s inclusion particularly rankles other Major League Soccer fans as Miami got the host’s spot by winning the Supporters’ Shield, rather than the MLS Cup which was won by LA Galaxy.
—Steve Price, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
That intel could have assuaged concerns about Diggs’ locker-room presence that rankled some in Minnesota and Buffalo, but mostly has been described as an overflowing competitiveness and desire for the ball.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rankle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankle
Verb
-
The conventional exploits are paced with tasty visual surprises (a steaming roast chicken, a succulent pork chop).—
Armond White,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The eager anticipation was for a hot spot that’s steaming all day.—
Jonathan Thompson,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The effort has infuriated critics in a city that has pioneered harm reduction.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Season 5 had it all: romances, redemption arcs, infuriating men, explosive fights, and two of the show’s biggest stars, Molly-Mae Hague and Maura Higgins.—
Lindsey Lanquist,
StyleCaster,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Similar conversations have raged around the country for years, particularly over whether Confederate monuments should be removed from public spaces.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Unfortunately but unsurprisingly, a subset of online losers have raged about Doctor Who’s inclusivity.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump's actions angered Canadians and stoked a surge in nationalism, helping the Liberals to flip the narrative and win a fourth straight term in power.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
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Along with safety, downtown residents say green space has been one of the top concerns of the almost 100,000 people who live there, so the attack on some of the area’s few trees particularly angered people.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The pair, who met as college undergrads, both burned with idealism and recognized their privilege could be leveraged for a game-changing idea.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2023
-
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes circular fashion and says that, in the United States, an amount of clothing equal to a garbage truck is ferried to landfills or burned every second.—
Neeti Mehra,
Treehugger,
13 Sep. 2023
Verb
-
Warren was beloved by the Cherry Grove community — by then, the Pines’s more bohemian counterpart — and her rejection enraged many, including Thom Hansen, who performed in drag as Panzi.—
Elyssa Goodman,
Them.,
25 Apr. 2025
-
In the TikTok video that enraged so many of these men, the gimmick is that the executives are participating in a girly TikTok trend within the confines of their office.—
Constance Grady,
Vox,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
No need to dirty another pot, wait for water to boil, or do more dishes.—
Nicole Hopper,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2025
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Bouillon is a word from the 17th century for a liquid to boil, usually offcuts of meat, but vegetables too, that make an inexpensive, hearty broth.—
BYAlex Ledsom,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Seiders, 44, is charged with felony child pornography possession, misdemeanor annoying a child under 18, concealing a camera with intent to invade privacy and attempting to conceal a camera.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
What annoyed me was good old-fashioned stupid gameplay.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rankle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankle. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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