as in angered
feeling or showing anger
our supervisor was rankled by all the unexpected delays and problems we ran into
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in raged
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
that kind of rude treatment from a young person makes me rankle
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in infuriated
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 rankled
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Those comments rankled some Senate Democrats, raising the likelihood that Homeland Security could shut down next week.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
In August, streamer Hasan Piker declared that woke was back after the new Superman film’s pro-immigration plot rankled conservatives online.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 27 Jan. 2026
Last year, state Republican lawmakers rankled the president by refusing to redraw Indiana’s congressional map.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
The rush for the Canadian market follows a landmark trade deal between Ottawa and Beijing that rankled Canadian auto executives.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Watching the two countries strike a deal might very well have rankled Trump, but the president was reticent about any concerns.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 17 Jan. 2026
Chase’s rising fame and immodesty rankled some of his cast mates.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The move rankled Davis’ pal Dean Martin, his daughter Deana told PEOPLE in a recent interview.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
While the club’s decision to keep much of last year’s roster intact has rankled parts of a fanbase that is waiting for its first championship since 2009 — the team can still add before Opening Day — there have been a few new additions.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Those comments rankled some Senate Democrats, raising the likelihood that Homeland Security could shut down next week.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
In August, streamer Hasan Piker declared that woke was back after the new Superman film’s pro-immigration plot rankled conservatives online.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 27 Jan. 2026
Last year, state Republican lawmakers rankled the president by refusing to redraw Indiana’s congressional map.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
The rush for the Canadian market follows a landmark trade deal between Ottawa and Beijing that rankled Canadian auto executives.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Watching the two countries strike a deal might very well have rankled Trump, but the president was reticent about any concerns.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 17 Jan. 2026
Chase’s rising fame and immodesty rankled some of his cast mates.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The move rankled Davis’ pal Dean Martin, his daughter Deana told PEOPLE in a recent interview.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankled
Adjective
-
Police said the two male juveniles became angered when the other three would not take them to buy marijuana.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Soon, the faces of the angered New York City citizens around her soften.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Battles have raged since 2007 over whether the Supreme Court decided the original case properly.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some of Southwest’s A-listers openly raged on platforms such as X, with many complaints focused on those passengers being forced to place carry-on bags in compartments way to the back of the plane, a different experience from the prior boarding regime.—
Dallas Morning News,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The criminal investigation, which Powell announced this month, shocked and infuriated senators, both Republican and Democratic.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
-
That decision reportedly infuriated Bondi, who has since taken matters into her own hands.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
However, her direct and outspoken approach has also led to controversy, with enraged officials in Honduras once wanting to declare her persona non grata.—
Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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And why did that treatment — at least initially — leave Zverev so enraged?—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The windows steamed with the warmth of the revelry inside.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In recent weeks, as Indiana steamed toward the national-title game, Cuban gave even more.—
Keith O’Brien,
The Atlantic,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As frustrating Saturn arrives in your 3rd House of Communication, you might be annoyed that others seem to misread you.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Betts gazed back with angst, momentarily annoyed with her coach.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, members of Congress are likely to face some angry, dissatisfied voters — with the year’s first major primary day fast approaching on March 3.—
Marissa Martinez,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But the attempt at humor didn’t satisfy some angry fans who believe Mets President David Stearns swindled Getz in a trade that essentially was a salary dump.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then Balint stormed out of the hearing.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In August 2024, students stormed her official residence, smashing walls and looting its contents, forcing her to flee into neighboring India and exile.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rankled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankled. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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