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 stormed
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
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
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
-
Both personalities were on full display on Tuesday, when the B’s stormed back from 2-0 deficit with five unanswered goals to beat the New York Islanders, 5-2, at the Garden.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In 1992, 111 were killed when Sao Paulo police stormed the Carandiru Penitentiary to put down a prison rebellion.—
Janaina Quinet,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some of these killings infuriated local residents, many of whom believe killing bears should be the last resort.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
That has infuriated business leaders who complain it makes the state less competitive and drives away the wealthy.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Mistaken as the murderer, Mary is stoned and buried alive in a shallow grave by the enraged townspeople.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The defense attorney, Michael Caesar, told jurors that Bragg became enraged after Gladney outed him as a gay man, and sought revenge.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
News Round-Up The USA’s Under-20s steamed into the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Chile yesterday, wiping the floor with Italy.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Or annoyed at myself for the whole stunt.—
Junnelle Hogen,
Outside,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Ball doesn’t seem annoyed by the memes yet, but the NBA season hasn’t officially started, so there’s still time.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Nick went to his grave angry The Citadel had let Marc play that day.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Good intentions, sure, but when is angry bipartisanship not going to be a part of the American culture?—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The eugenics movement raged in America and abroad, and bodies deemed as ‘freaks’ could be subject to investigation, sterilization, or institutionalization.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Bloody battles raged throughout the fall of 1863 along the banks of the Tennessee River, in pastoral valleys, and on the flanks of Lookout Mountain, a long, craggy ridge overlooking the city.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rankled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankled. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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