as in irritated
subjected to and reacting with irritation
I was particularly galled when she didn't even offer to pay half the cab fare
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in eroded
to damage or diminish by continued friction
move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in annoyed
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
humming through your nose like that absolutely galls me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 galled
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
15 Jan. 2026
From Warriors coach Steve Kerr, to future Hall of Famers Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, to 25-year-old relative newcomers Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis, the team’s lack of competitive fire galled the Warriors.
—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Her words so galled many on the left, each column became a source of knee-jerk opposition online.
—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
The fact that criminals would seek to take advantage of an old man’s lack of sophistication about the workings of the internet galled Tejasvi.
—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Bundle is also galled by Lady Coote’s refusal to mention at the inquest that the fatal sleeping draft was from a bottle she’d given to her sleepless maid, Emily.
—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
15 Jan. 2026
From Warriors coach Steve Kerr, to future Hall of Famers Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, to 25-year-old relative newcomers Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis, the team’s lack of competitive fire galled the Warriors.
—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Her words so galled many on the left, each column became a source of knee-jerk opposition online.
—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
The fact that criminals would seek to take advantage of an old man’s lack of sophistication about the workings of the internet galled Tejasvi.
—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for galled
Adjective
-
There was a point in Patrick Paul’s ascension last season where his smirk, his hearty chuckles irritated, if not frustrated his opponents to the point of anger.
-
On Friday, a cloud of irritated bees swarmed the linden’s trunk about 20 feet up, where wind from strong storms the night before had snapped it.
Verb
-
Beyond hiring and leadership decisions, trust is also built or eroded through everyday behavior.
-
Starmer is leaving after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with his party and the public.
Verb
-
Others are annoyed that its ambiguous language will create confusion over how — or if — the state will enforce compliance.
-
David goes on a tour of the past 250 years and is deeply annoyed by every facet of it.
Verb
-
The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department advised anyone bitten or scratched by a bat or other wild animal to promptly clean the wound with soap and water, then contact a physician or go to the emergency room.
-
Casey Schmitt was scratched from Sunday’s starting lineup due to an illness, but entered the game for the ailing Adames.
Adjective
-
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi star as childhood pals turned hot and bothered frenemies having quite the torrid love affair as adults in a sumptuous and quite haughty bad romance.
-
After a frustrating conversation with a hotel staffer about the air conditioning, a hot and bothered Fuller threw on a ball cap, turned it backward and recorded a rant on his cellphone.
Verb
-
Most opponents wore red, the color that has united grassroots organizations across the city against data centers.
-
Paltrow wore a black, strapless gown and buckled slippers, while Martin sported a two-tone brown-and-blue sweater over a white T-shirt, with brown corduroy pants and a stylishly thin belt.
Verb
-
When Riley returned to the table, La La told me that his high profile in the city sometimes bugged her, because fans were always interrupting them, even sitting down at their table.
-
Upon arriving at big-league camp this spring, Rojas said the different grip initially bugged him.
Adjective
-
For a variety of reasons that weren’t immediately entirely clear, there was a comprehensive and fundamental breakdown in access to the stadium that left many exasperated or furious.
-
Such a reader would be even more exasperated by The End of Everything, which turns the dial up several notches.
Cite this Entry
“Galled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/galled. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
