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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 The rapper is known for riling up audiences, often encouraging them to climb onstage and bypass security. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 10 June 2025 He’s been too busy winning state titles with the Bruins to get riled up about old grudges. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 June 2025 Kennedy’s war on pesticides riles farmers, and a G.O.P. senator. Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 15 May 2025 Some of y’all in here dumb enough to get all the way riled up. Sidik Fofana, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
Verb
  • If your idea of patience looks like being endlessly agreeable, never getting annoyed, and staying calm through any inconvenience….
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 June 2025
  • We get used to it quickly, and will be annoyed when it is replaced.
    Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • His unwillingness to compromise made the restaurant unfeasibly expensive to run, infuriating his investor, family friend Uncle Jimmy (a.k.a.
    Judy Berman, Time, 26 June 2025
  • The cost of the wedding has been estimated at up to nearly $50M, infuriating locals and activists who claim Amazon pays minimal taxes in European countries and point to Bezos’ use of his extreme personal wealth to effectively take over parts of the historic city, disrupting daily life.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Spicy foods: Spicy foods may irritate the stomach and intestines, which could worsen or extend food poisoning symptoms.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 21 June 2025
  • This will irritate them and also decrease their likelihood of returning.
    Bartosz Skwarczek, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Cambodia angered by neighbor’s new restrictions on border crossings PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Cambodia's government on Tuesday accused Thailand of escalating border tensions by imposing new restrictions that have blocked almost all land crossings, especially for tourists heading into Cambodia.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 June 2025
  • As a mom, I’m angered at the existence of so many abusers who lure children through the internet.
    Nicole Russell, USA Today, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Also on this episode: With Emmy nomination voting ending on Monday, the Roundtable takes one more look at the major categories, how the number of submissions has changed some of the competition and who didn’t bother to join in.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • Orban said in February that organisers should not even bother organizing Pride in Budapest this year.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • That’s likely to ignite further anger from Democrats, who are enraged after Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was handcuffed on the floor after being forcefully removed from a Thursday press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in LA.
    Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 13 June 2025
  • His budget-cutting work for the Trump administration enraged many former Musk/Tesla fans, slashing the appeal of a once high-flying brand.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • With his penchant for menacing models, black-out contact lenses and jutting shoulders, Owens is also a forever torchbearer for different kinds of beauty, and a safe haven for people who feel persecuted for being outside the norm.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
  • The regimes that persecute religious minorities are also the ones that oppress women, LGBTQ people, journalists, and dissidents.
    Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Say your mother kept bugging you to change a bad habit.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Next season is when all the little things start to bug me.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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