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
The 49ers have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2005, a 21-year drought that has rankled the team’s supporters for years.
—
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
This is sure to rankle some in his party who want a shift to younger generations.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2026
That gesture rankled when Handler discovered the extent of the issues at the house.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 11 Mar. 2026
The bill’s reemergence has rankled Republican lawmakers, who said new regulation on warehouses would target some of the state’s largest employers and insert the state into the employer-employee relationship.
—Ct Mirror, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rankle
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
This is sure to rankle some in his party who want a shift to younger generations.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2026
That gesture rankled when Handler discovered the extent of the issues at the house.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 11 Mar. 2026
The bill’s reemergence has rankled Republican lawmakers, who said new regulation on warehouses would target some of the state’s largest employers and insert the state into the employer-employee relationship.
—Ct Mirror, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rankle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankle
Verb
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Martone’s gorgeous touch pass to Dvorak sent him steaming ahead with Travis Konecny, with only Mason Lohrei defending.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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Look for whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and words like steamed, baked, poached, roasted, broiled or grilled.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Experts say gas price hikes infuriate Americans more than most other goods.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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The decision infuriated local opponents, who have applauded selectmen’s decision in mid-March to authorize legal action to try to reverse the vote.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the conflict in the Middle East raging on during the Weekend, stock futures fell on Sunday, after posting gains last week on hopes of a de-escalation.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
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Iran’s government is detaining family members and threatening to seize property of Iranian opposition figures in exile, some told the Associated Press, in the latest crackdown on dissenting voices as the war rages on.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Although this was not the first time Ticketmaster’s price surges had angered fans, the controversies reached a new peak just months later when botched ticket sales for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour triggered widespread outrage and congressional scrutiny.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Fellow cast member Meghan King became skeptical of his symptoms and questioned his illness, which angered many of her costars — including Gunvalson.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The group then sprang into action, rushing to pull them from the burning vehicle and extinguish the flames.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Dinner is focused around a large wood burning oven, putting out deliciously charred meats and veggies, and there’s a vibrant after-work drinks scene that always has this place pumping.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After the Gamecocks defeated the Huskies, Staley and Auriemma went viral with their interaction at midcourt, where Auriemma appeared to enrage Staley before walking off.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
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That deal enraged House Republicans, who refused to consider the Senate's compromise and instead opted to pass their own stopgap spending measure that would continue funding for all of DHS — including ICE and CBP — through May 22 and sending it back to the Senate.—
Justin Papp,Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This means water from the tap should be boiled for at least five minutes before drinking.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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This makes our reality boil and bubble!—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Black also appeared as a frustrated office worker trying to get a co-worker (Ashley Padilla) to stop talking to him and others annoyed by the woman.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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Unless you’re annoyed at paying the junior engineers $300,000 a year straight out of school.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rankle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankle. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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