1
as in frustrating
causing annoyance
her holier-than-thou attitude is galling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 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
-
For athletes, the C1 solves a frustrating, age-old problem.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The reality is that traditional investigative journalism is a frequently boring and frustrating endeavor that takes a lot of time, money, and patience.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Proper skin preparation is key to making your wax sessions less painful.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The high fevers, hospitalizations, and dehydration that these illnesses cause can be painful and disruptive—and, with vaccines, avoidable.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Most recently, in 2022, the county had completed a more than $18 million project for beach nourishment, which is the process of adding sand to an eroding beach to widen it.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Meanwhile, a recent constitutional reform that gave Mexico’s ruling party control over all three branches of government has fed fears of rising state control over the economy, eroding confidence.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sometimes, rage bait can be relatively harmless – a recipe that contains disgusting food combinations or someone annoying their pet, partner or sibling.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
1 Dec. 2025
-
But what’s been annoying me even more is that these women should have been trained by producers to start recording on their own cell phones if drama starts to unfold after cameras go down.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The play-calling of Payton remains irritating and confusing.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Plus, if wind picks up, the leaves can wind up all over the neighborhood, irritating your neighbors.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite already having declared her candidacy, McKnight voiced disturbing and violent threats against Sheehy.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This story contains a description of a shooting some readers may find disturbing.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
There's a lot of harsh words and harsh things that get said about people.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Applying it at the base of the plant before the first frost can protect the roots from harsh cold and keep the soil from freezing.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Some people even shared old photos of Indigenous peoples wearing the hoods, noting that the originators of the design kept the fur outward to break cold wind and trap snow.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Chavez posted a photo of Gregory Bovino walking down 33rd Street and Portland Avenue, flanked by three agents wearing masks.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Galling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/galling. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share