1
as in frustrating
causing annoyance
her holier-than-thou attitude is galling
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
losing in the last round of play-offs was galling to our home team
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in eroding
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 annoying
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 irritating
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
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Recent Examples of galling
Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
In a galling announcement made in August of 2025, NASA’s acting chief, Sean Duffy, declared the intention to abandon all non-spaceflight and exploration-related activities, defying the agency’s charter.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Matias Grez, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Since then, the Delta Devils have lost a galling 190 such games in a row.
—Sam Blum, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for galling
Adjective
The problem appeared all the more galling, the lawsuit claimed, because at least one of the funeral home directors had previously been promoted after allegedly mismanaging another cremation.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
In a galling announcement made in August of 2025, NASA’s acting chief, Sean Duffy, declared the intention to abandon all non-spaceflight and exploration-related activities, defying the agency’s charter.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
The loss will be particularly galling for Świątek, who had match point at 40-30 up but was unable to convert and reach her first Australian Open final.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Since then, the Delta Devils have lost a galling 190 such games in a row.
—Sam Blum, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for galling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for galling
Adjective
-
Odegaard’s recent medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee will be doubly frustrating as a result, with that pair now missing opportunities to build more chemistry.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Label your bulbs now to avoid frustrating mix-ups later.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Mario Vuskovic’s suspension in 2022 was part of that struggle, another painful situation to overcome.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In place of pesky underwire — which is uncomfortable at best, and downright painful at its worst — the bra uses a sturdy elastic band and adjustable straps to provide comfortable support.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That contrast only sharpens China’s advantage, where Beijing offers scale and direction, Europe risks eroding credibility.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
But those alternatives are more costly, eroding profits.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
A lot of noise around the Chiefs The Chiefs have become a mainstay in NFL discourse by winning three Super Bowls in the Mahomes era, and annoying an endless list of fan bases with their ability to overcome the odds and rally for a late win at an unprecedented rate.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
21 Sep. 2025
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The Sounders’ defenders swarmed Messi from the first minute, and midfielder Obed Vargas was particularly physical, annoying the Argentine icon time and again.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water and drink through a straw to avoid damaging tooth enamel and irritating the esophagus.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Her aging stepfather knocks heads with her flawed and irritating ex-husband, who also moves into the home.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The private messages offer a disturbing glimpse into how Jones — who is looking to oust incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares this fall — describes his political adversaries in private conversations.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Oct. 2025
-
There were masks and body suits made of female skin, along with human skulls for soup bowls and other disturbing oddities.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The triumphant narrative began to fray when exceedingly harsh lockdown measures could no longer contain the spread of the virus, and the staggering human cost in the name of protecting lives defied all logic.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
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There are no easy fixes, so figuring out how to cushion the harsh impact will be the basis of negotiations with other parties in the Japanese legislature, the Diet.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Williams was remembered for wearing goggles and a knee wrap and by his intensity during those games.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Beckham, wearing Saint Laurent peep-toe heels, a white T-shirt and check pencil skirt from her own collection, sits in a big, sunny room filled with racks of clothing and accessories samples, all the elements of her current world.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Galling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/galling. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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