galled 1 of 2

adjective

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

galled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of gall
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scratched
to make sore by continued rubbing tie your shoes so they don't gall your heels sliding on and off like that

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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
Verb
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for galled
  1. irritated
  2. eroded
  3. annoyed
  4. scratched
  5. bothered
  6. wore
  7. bugged
  8. exasperated
Adjective
  • The byproduct was irritated, itchy skin with the discomfort of scratches, scabs and the stink that accompanied it.
    — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
Definition of irritated
Verb
  • Fierce domestic competition has eroded its footprint in China, one of its most important markets.
    — Andrew Staples, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • Moscow says the strike was retaliation for Ukraine’s 40-day campaign on Russian oil refineries and supply lines, which has fueled shortages, hit Crimea and eroded battlefield momentum.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of eroded
Verb
  • Conceding from a restart would have annoyed France, and Jorgen Strand Larsen converting his penalty could have made this more fun.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 7 July 2026
  • Those of us old enough to remember the 1994-95 strike recall it as a disaster for the sport, as fans were annoyed by both owners and players, and many turned to other life interests.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of annoyed
Verb
  • Bubic made two rehab starts in Triple-A Omaha, didn’t feel right after the second one (on June 27) and was scratched from his next start.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of scratched
Adjective
  • Rumpled lengths ooze insouciance, radiating a can't-be-bothered energy that, for some, is far cooler than even the bounciest blowout.
    — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Definition of bothered
Verb
  • French President Emmanuel Macron wore a pair of aviator sunglasses indoors again.
    — Jamie Gray, NBC news, 9 July 2026
  • While visiting Evelina London Children’s Hospital, the princess wore a breezy white shirt dress cinched with a black waist belt and finished with classic kitten heels.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Definition of wore
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.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • Upon arriving at big-league camp this spring, Rojas said the different grip initially bugged him.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of bugged
Adjective
  • Lopez gets calls from exasperated merchants dealing with vandalism and with people blocking their storefronts.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
Definition of exasperated

Browse Nearby Words

gallants
galled
galleon
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Cite this Entry

“Galled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/galled. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on galled

Nglish: Translation of galled for Spanish Speakers

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