rankled 1 of 2

as in angered
feeling or showing anger our supervisor was rankled by all the unexpected delays and problems we ran into

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rankled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of rankle

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 rankled
Verb
But several aspects of the sales tax measure have rankled Casey and organizations focused on fiscal responsibility. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025 That rankled Aviation administrators, who saw a potential problem with FAA rules if the money ever made it to CountryFest or the mayors’ conference. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025 But while Loeb has often encouraged scientists to have an open mind about extraterrestrials, his theories and research have often rankled other astrophysicists in the field, who push back on some of his bolder claims. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025 This rankled some, who felt Elliott’s typical, bustling self would inject the urgency Villa were lacking. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 DeGeneres’ career climb rankled Fulger, who was let go from the series, along with co-star Maggie Wheeler, when it was retooled after its first year on the air. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025 Some of Niccol's changes have rankled customers and baristas. Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025 That experience had rankled in my soul ever since. Ben East, Outdoor Life, 28 Aug. 2025 Dobson's unflinching conservatism rankled some Republican leaders at the height of his influence. Jason Derose, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankled
Adjective
  • Soon, the faces of the angered New York City citizens around her soften.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The politician has publicly gloated over Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show coming to an end next May, celebrated Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, and then raged over his return to TV screens, and suggested that Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show also come to an end, too.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
  • O’Donnell said the full interview was about 90 minutes, and CBS provided a full text transcript on its website, showing extended moments where Trump raged at Joe Biden, political opponents and his indictments.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • That defeat denied Indianapolis a playoff appearance and infuriated the man in charge of it all.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The lack of details about the operations has infuriated members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum.
    Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • An enraged University of Iowa student was arrested after a Turning Point USA table was flipped on campus in an incident that was caught on video.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Which casts a show seemingly designed to bypass all judgments with respect to storytelling and taste, gliding straight to the pleasure center of some imaginary horny, enraged, shopaholic feminine id, in a fairly sinister light.
    Judy Berman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Acorn squash can be baked, roasted, or steamed for a tasty side dish.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Enjoy it raw or lightly steamed with olive oil, salt, and pepper for the most nutrients and best flavor.
    Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Snook and Lacy, who display such sharp instincts in their best work, seem to have been directed to overact; cameras freeze on their exaggeratedly bewildered or angry or devastated expressions, putting exclamation points at the end of too many scenes.
    Judy Berman, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
  • So what actually makes Powell angry?
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Around 500 Hamas terrorists stormed the kibbutz, killing 47 people and taking 76 hostages out of the 251 abducted across Israel that day.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The demonstration turned violent, and some people stormed Morelia’s Government Palace.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rankled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankled. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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