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
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
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
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The gentle cream is designed for daily use and is fragrance-free and non-irritating.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
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The irritating truth is that there’s no shoe that’s absolutely perfect for every single runner.—
Kristen Geil,
Outside,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Amid the churn in Europe and globally, with trenchant nationalism on the rise, and a war raging in Ukraine just 1,200 miles from the palace, many might say that having a hereditary royal as their head of state offers some reassuring continuity, acting as a counterweight to political upheaval.—
Vivienne Walt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
-
There's a debate raging about whether adding a squirrel feeding station filled with corn or peanuts to your garden will satisfy the rodents and keep them away from bulbs.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The new program, Train SMART, also risks angering a network of grassroots chapters and gun violence prevention volunteers at Everytown.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
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Dwight also declines that, angering Ray.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Having to spend your day punching up a crappy slide deck your colleague’s chatbot spit out is annoying, to be sure.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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His meme humor and utter dedication to that god-awful nickname should be annoying.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The expansive lawn is dotted with games—cornhole, soccer, and ladder toss for the kids—and solo fire pits where families gather under starry skies to toast s’mores or enjoy a steaming mug of hot cider.—
Christine Chitnis,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
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Baking or steaming them helps preserve their nutrients, while roasting brings out their natural sweetness.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In March, a bloc of centrist lawmakers broke ranks to advance a Republican spending bill without concessions, infuriating progressive groups that accused party leaders of capitulation.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
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My astrologer’s eyes twinkled with infuriating delight.—
Jessie Rosen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Inflation remains stubbornly high and the economic outlook subdued, frustrating efforts to repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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Bare patches dotting an otherwise green lawn can be frustrating.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The wildfire has been burning on private land.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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On Monday morning local time, Namibian Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare Manongo said in a post on X that fires were still burning both inside and outside the park, but all of them had now been contained.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rankling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankling. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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