GALLED Synonyms: 200 Similar and Opposite Words

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

as in eroded

to damage or diminish by continued friction move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it

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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

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

Opponents of the regime were galled by the phalanxes of goose-stepping soldiers and columns of tanks. — Ian Johnson, The New York Review of Books, 11 Oct. 2026 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

Pause potent actives like retinoids, AHAs, BHAs and vitamin C when skin is irritated.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
The deodorant also gives dry, irritated pits some extra love, with barrier-supporting sunflower seed oil that helps soften and moisturize skin.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritated

Verb

The killing drew national outrage and calls for accountability, becoming the latest in a string of incidents that has eroded trust in police in the small town.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Chinese firms have been suffering from declining profit growth amid intense competition that has eroded margins and even invited the government to step in.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of eroded

Verb

That was the question that annoyed Steinbrenner, who is backing a system that would strip his team of a financial advantage while falling in line with other billionaire ballclub owners, who tend to vote as a unified bloc.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
The innkeeper is annoyed that his wife wants more conversation.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoyed

Verb

But the divisive veteran Israeli leader has scratched, scraped and literally battled his way back during a stormy three-year period of nonstop domestic crises and wars across the region.

— Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Vaginal tissue very easily can get scratched and can bleed, depending on how smooth the wicker is.

— Rachel Handler, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of scratched

Verb

Ramaswamy wore what appeared to be a knock-off Ohio State jersey to the school’s home opener in August and took heat from Buckeyes fans in his X comments.

— Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
The two even wore jewelry and fake nails to really emulate PinkPantheress, 25, and Larsson, 28.

— Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of wore

Verb

And as the team moved into the couple’s guest house on their San Diego rental property, the filmmakers feared that the home was bugged and ordered a device to try to de-bug it, without success.

— Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
He’s bugged Jay — the two met online and married two years ago before opening their first restaurant last year — to make sure that includes his crispy duck panang curry.

— Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of bugged

Adjective

Trip isn’t the standout role, but Keery handles the character’s exasperated monologues with panache, turning self-defense and infuriated straight-talk into acts of exhilarating sanity.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Digger, joined by his earnest and exasperated head of environmental safety and security, Nirav Ganesh (Riz Ahmed), heads to Europe to try to avert an unprecedented environmental disaster.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of exasperated

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gallants

galled

galleon

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“Galled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/galled. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of galled

adjective

verb

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