1
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
that kind of rude treatment from a young person makes me rankle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to infuriate
to make angry
it rankles me when some schools can't even afford paper and pencils for the students
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rankle
While this might rankle a certain type of science fiction reader who expects rigorous world building and a straightforward plot, Unferth’s playfulness injects new life into some trusty old tropes that have calcified into clichés.
—
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Armenia also played host to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a move that further rankled the Kremlin, especially because Pashinyan and Zelensky held talks in English, rather than in Russian, the old Soviet lingua franca.
—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
The Herald has learned Council President Liz Breadon visited councilors individually during the recess to ask them to push off the budget vote, rankling Weber, who had recommended a favorable vote take place at the day’s session.
—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
How much will the war with Iran rankle the housing market?
—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rankle
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Armenia also played host to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a move that further rankled the Kremlin, especially because Pashinyan and Zelensky held talks in English, rather than in Russian, the old Soviet lingua franca.
—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
The Herald has learned Council President Liz Breadon visited councilors individually during the recess to ask them to push off the budget vote, rankling Weber, who had recommended a favorable vote take place at the day’s session.
—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
How much will the war with Iran rankle the housing market?
—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rankle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankle
Verb
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Marylanders settled back for a steaming celebration of America’s 194th birthday today.
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The French capital is in the midst of a heat wave — the day of the show was the city’s hottest ever June day, until Wednesday eclipsed it — and the model’s toes steamed inside the oblong footwear.
Verb
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In Chicago, these questions are interesting and infuriating because the Bulls have no say in the outcome.
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The Iranians moved their training base from Arizona to Mexico, and the team has been required to leave Los Angeles right after both matches, infuriating Ghalenoei.
Verb
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Covid was raging, inflation was raging.
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This only encourages the distrust, fury, and conspiracism now raging through our societies.
Verb
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Younger, more far left candidates across the nation, from California to Indiana, are running this year to try and oust older, longtime congressional incumbents — angering Democratic Party leaders.
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Not further angering Republicans took precedence over protecting the creative freedom of CBS’ producing partners.
Verb
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According to Smith, citizens of East Florida even burned the leaders behind the Declaration of Independence in effigy.
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For decades, oceans have acted as the planet’s main heat sink, absorbing 90% of the excess heat produced by humans burning fossil fuels.
Verb
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Stalling the bill's enactment will likely enrage elements of both parties.
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The film’s director, uptight Euro expat Max (Christoph Waltz), is initially enraged by their hijacking of the shoot, but his studio fatcat bosses (both voiced by Jeff Bridges) love the unhinged results.
Verb
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Also contaminated are fish, staples of Midwestern fish fries and fish boils, and an important part of the diet of Indigenous tribes, certain immigrant populations and communities of color.
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Continue boiling at a moderate, steady rate, without stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes more or until caramel is a rich brown color but not burnt.
Verb
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Damian used to get annoyed with his father's motivational chats about responsibility.
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Three hours before the parade is set to begin, paradegoers are already annoyed at the disorganization and slow-moving lines.
Cite this Entry
“Rankle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankle. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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