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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rile different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rile are exasperate, irritate, nettle, peeve, and provoke. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

When would exasperate be a good substitute for rile?

In some situations, the words exasperate and rile are roughly equivalent. However, exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When is it sensible to use irritate instead of rile?

Although the words irritate and rile have much in common, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When is nettle a more appropriate choice than rile?

The words nettle and rile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When can peeve be used instead of rile?

While the synonyms peeve and rile are close in meaning, peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

When could provoke be used to replace rile?

The synonyms provoke and rile are sometimes interchangeable, but provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

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 rile Courtney Love also shelled out $2.6 million in 2001 for a fourth-floor loft, which the lead singer and guitarist of Hole and widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain offloaded in 2006 for $5 million after riling up neighbors with her famously precarious behavior. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2025 Trump's associates have assailed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which have riled Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — both of whom have established a warm rapport with Trump. David Folkenflik, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025 Darcey continued to get her sister riled up back inside the bar. Abigail Adams, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025 In Canada, there has already been a movement to buy local as Canadian consumers grow increasingly riled by pronouncements from the President. Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
Verb
  • Easily annoyed by noises like gum smacking or cereal slurping.
    Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The controversy over attire comes just two months after Zelensky was criticized and called disrespectful by a reporter at the White House for not wearing a suit during his visit to the Oval Office, with reports suggesting that Trump was annoyed by Zelensky's choice of clothing.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The effort has infuriated critics in a city that has pioneered harm reduction.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Season 5 had it all: romances, redemption arcs, infuriating men, explosive fights, and two of the show’s biggest stars, Molly-Mae Hague and Maura Higgins.
    Lindsey Lanquist, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This can be particularly irritating to eczema-prone skin.
    Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Pairing some active ingredients can irritate the skin, and other combinations may reduce the effectiveness of the ingredients.1 1.
    Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump's actions angered Canadians and stoked a surge in nationalism, helping the Liberals to flip the narrative and win a fourth straight term in power.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Along with safety, downtown residents say green space has been one of the top concerns of the almost 100,000 people who live there, so the attack on some of the area’s few trees particularly angered people.
    Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Luckily, my dog doesn’t bother the plants—except the ones in the garden—but this plant stand gives me peace of mind anyway.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2025
  • Travel delays don’t bother Blues The Blues got stuck in Winnipeg after Game 5 due to an issue with the plane that was bringing them back to St. Louis.
    Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Warren was beloved by the Cherry Grove community — by then, the Pines’s more bohemian counterpart — and her rejection enraged many, including Thom Hansen, who performed in drag as Panzi.
    Elyssa Goodman, Them., 25 Apr. 2025
  • In the TikTok video that enraged so many of these men, the gimmick is that the executives are participating in a girly TikTok trend within the confines of their office.
    Constance Grady, Vox, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In a video posted to his Truth Social platform in December 2023, Trump accused the FBI and DOJ of sending undercover spies to churches to persecute people of faith.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The statement concluded with an expression of solidarity with Christians who are persecuted.
    Chloe Breyer, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Curry is 37 and played Sunday with his right thumb wrapped in athletic tape, nursing an ailment that has bugged him all season.
    Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • And for me, nothing bugs me more than engaging in social activities to check the box rather than making meaningful connections.
    Time, Time, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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