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
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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
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Some even combine vitamin C with hydrating or soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or peptides, so your skin looks bright and plump without ever feeling stripped, thirsty, or irritated.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
24 Jan. 2026
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As an especially wooden James, Irvine moves through Silent Hill not as a victim unraveling but as an irritated participant weathering a string of weird, disjointed trials.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For years, the LDP has been weighed down by election losses, stubborn inflation and political scandals, which have eroded public trust even as its new leader’s popularity surges.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Critics, however, countered that Kamau's political identity does not exempt him from basic legal standards and that the case was one of several controversies that eroded confidence in his administration.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In one Upper East Side neighborhood known for pristine sidewalks, residents said they were annoyed by the sight of piles of trash bags one after another.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Hassan was annoyed by the smell of cigarettes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With Kurashev and Mukhamadullin back, forward Pavol Regenda and defenseman Timothy Liljegren will be scratched for Saturday’s game.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
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Now Nyquist has been banished to the press box, scratched for 12 of 15 games since the start of January.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Those most bothered being Hispanic Americans.—
Douglas Mackinnon,
Boston Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Van Edwards was recently excited to interview a job candidate only to encounter the person’s resting bothered face throughout the conversation.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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On Christmas Day in 2025, the little princess wore her long blonde hair partially pulled back in a half-ponytail tied with ribbon for the royal family's church outing at Sandringham.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
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The listening second graders, most of whom wore uniforms (light-blue polo shirts, dark-blue pants and skirts) were sitting on a rug decorated with eighth notes, piano keys, and a second-grader-size treble clef.—
Adam Iscoe,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Instead, Ladinig says Pierre Haobsh bugged Henry Han's computer with a spyware app called a keylogger.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Feeling good Weathers has been bugged by several injuries over the last few years.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Eventually, my exasperated mom found us and marched us to the big arena, on the other side of Interstate 70, to witness the big show.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
22 Jan. 2026
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Others said the new regulations could create longer lines and a more cumbersome retail experience, driving exasperated customers to shop in other cities.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Galled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/galled. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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