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
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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
-
Critics note the time and effort needed to remove stubborn labels—after all, few things are more irritating than peeling off a label and being met with sticky residue.—
Caelan McMichael,
Allure,
7 Oct. 2025
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Dermatologically tested and non-irritating, Coperni C+ is crafted from materials engineered to support both your skin and body, marking a bold new step in the future of functional fashion.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Twenty years’ worth of imagery captured by two orbiters circling Mars has revealed raging winds on the red planet.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, in the wake of the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, politics has become increasingly polarized, with debates about free speech raging.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
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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
Adjective
-
Glass water repellent acts as a protective barrier that causes rain droplets or water to roll away instead of drying and sticking to your glass (then causing those annoying spots).—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
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They were not allowed to stay in private homes — annoying for sometime Paris resident Serena Williams — but could eat out at Paris restaurants.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Plus, the material is wrinkle-free, which will save you from steaming it in the mornings.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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Don’t be surprised if this is a hot-hand situation, though, and rather infuriating.—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The official story is that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acted recklessly, blindsiding Washington and infuriating his indispensable patron.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Odegaard’s recent medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee will be doubly frustrating as a result, with that pair now missing opportunities to build more chemistry.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Label your bulbs now to avoid frustrating mix-ups later.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Little Fire has been burning on federal land managed by the United States Forest Service.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Halvorson was pulled from the burning debris in less than two minutes and rushed to waiting medics and flown in a CareFlite helicopter to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, with significant injuries.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rankling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankling. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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