as in irritating
causing annoyance
for some air travelers, the most rankling aspect of the security measures seems to be the restrictions regarding carry-on baggage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in raging
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 angering
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
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 rankling
Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2025
Trump's administration has come under intense criticism over its handling of records related to the case, rankling many leading voices within the MAGA-sphere.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Matthew quickly schemes his way into Oliver’s orbit after that first performance, impressing and rankling the group of lackeys in his entourage at the same time.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
But when Russia invaded Ukraine, South Africa repeatedly abstained from United Nations votes on the war—rankling officials in Washington.
—Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2025
Trump's administration has come under intense criticism over its handling of records related to the case, rankling many leading voices within the MAGA-sphere.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Matthew quickly schemes his way into Oliver’s orbit after that first performance, impressing and rankling the group of lackeys in his entourage at the same time.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankling
Adjective
-
Formulated in Korea with natural, non-irritating ingredients suitable for sensitive skin, the face masks are the first example, infusing hydrating and calming ingredients such as Vitamin B12 and aloe.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Some viewers find her impulsiveness more irritating than endearing.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Another is an anarchist raging against a large corporation.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The third model to ever wear a raging bull on its hood, the Miura wasn’t even supposed to exist.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Trump’s tariffs have backfired in numerous ways, including by angering US farmers – a key voting bloc – and creating a rare-earth shortage.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Following physical and emotional abuse, Lafferty became an anxious child who was constantly afraid of angering adults around her.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Meynecke said his footage suggested the whales found their hangers-on annoying.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Thankfully, the best faux garlands offer the look and oftentimes feel of the real thing without the sticky sap or annoying cleanup.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Additionally, steaming away wrinkles can give you that high-end feel typically found in a spa or hotel atmosphere.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
-
At Curry in a Hurry, Sajjad Chowdhury ladles steaming goat curry into a bowl for a customer while reflecting on the news the very building where investigators say the high-stakes poker games took place is just a block away.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Just a year after the bill was passed, it was rolled back to help pay for tax cuts – infuriating public health officials and anti-tobacco groups.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The story served as a springboard for a broader discussion about NBA rivalries, performative toughness and why Haliburton can be both charming and infuriating to opponents.—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Premier League has been a frustrating product this season.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Some of the diciest action – and most frustrating nights – for Powell involved sprinting across wet cobblestones or through a graveyard full of smoke in the dark.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Chamberlin Fire has been burning on federal land managed by the National Park Service for three hours.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The company built a retail and residential complex around the county’s Coconut Grove Metrorail station, and Martin also is pitching an incinerator site in western Miami-Dade as an alternative to the Levine Cava plan to rebuild the trash-burning facility in Doral.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rankling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankling. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share