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
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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
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Recent Examples of rankling
Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
But Johnson recalled how in 2024 Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed undocumented people to work at public universities, rankling activists.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
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
-
Rather than focusing on clarity with harsh actives, a key component to the glass skin trend is using gentle, non-irritating ingredients that take your skin to a healthier state.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Caustic soda crystals cannot be ingested; baking soda is edible and non-irritating.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Clearly, there are aspects of this Paris house’s past that are still little known, despite Olivier Rousteing’s Balmain army and Christophe Decarnin’s raging aughts success.—
Nicole Phelps,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Weigh in on that argument that is now going to be raging on Capitol Hill.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iran’s decision to retaliate across the Middle East has amounted to a strategic mistake, isolating Tehran and angering neighbors, according to three high-ranking Arab diplomats with direct knowledge of the state of play and public statements from around the region.—
Andrea Mitchell,
NBC news,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Less precise bombs could mean more civilian casualties, complicating the war and angering even Iranians who wanted a regime change.—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That annoying voice in the back of the mind or deep in your gut starts to sound more convincing.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Of all the horror franchises out there, the Scream series is the one that feels most like being on the world’s most annoying hamster wheel.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If the first four episodes of Bridgerton’s swoon-worthy fourth season were about desperate, hungry yearning, then the final four were more about, er, consummation—complete with secret trysts, steaming hot baths, false identities, and genuinely big shocks.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
-
After steaming each section and while the area is still warm, scrub with an old toothbrush to lift any grime.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Instead of infuriating customers at drive-thrus, the company is looking to exasperate its existing employees with the tech instead.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
26 Feb. 2026
-
For women in perimenopause and menopause, when hormones feel unpredictable and symptoms can be frustrating (er, infuriating) and vague, having a tool that makes at least one piece of the internal puzzle visible can be empowering.—
Rita Templeton,
Flow Space,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Enough, at least, to be satisfied with what came of a sometimes frustrating season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The possibilities for either an overload of unearned feelings or a frustrating reversal back to darkness loom threateningly.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In all areas of life, optimism lights the spark, while discipline keeps the fire burning.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
-
In another southern India tradition, the event is known as Kama Dahanam to commemorate Lord Shiva burning Kamadeva, the god of love, with his third eye.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rankling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankling. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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