Synonyms of rile

rile

verb

ˈrī(-ə)l 

1

as in to annoy

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts

one sure way to rile me is to keep yelling for me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• annoy
• irritate
• bother
• persecute
• bug
• aggravate
• infuriate
• irk
• exasperate
• get
• anger
• vex
• spite
• provoke
• eat
• ruffle
• pique
• worry
• burn (up)
• grate
• gripe
• chafe
• tease
• itch
• gall
• nark
• get to
• insult
• hack (off)
• frost
• put out
• wear on
• rouse
• offend
• enrage
• nettle
• harass
• peeve
• upset
• rasp
• plague
• rub the wrong way
• inflame
• enflame
• antagonize
• stick in one's craw
• heckle
• nag
• unsettle
• set one's teeth on edge
• get on one's nerves
• agitate
• get one's goat
• rankle
• pester
• outrage
• roil
• badger
• perturb
• hassle
• devil
• bait
• unhinge
• distress
• harry
• disquiet
• discompose
• affront
• discomfort
• undo
• fret
• madden
• incense
• exercise
• ballyrag
• bullyrag
• freak (out)
• miff
• hagride

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• placate
• appease
• pacify
• oblige
• conciliate
• please
• satisfy
• mollify
• gratify
• delight
• propitiate
• assure
• reassure
• soothe
• cheer
• content
• gladden
• quiet
• comfort
• console
• solace

2

as in to infuriate

to make angry

her husband isn't easily riled, but once he is, he stays that way for days

Synonyms & Similar Words

• infuriate
• anger
• enrage
• annoy
• irritate
• outrage
• inflame
• enflame
• rankle
• offend
• mad
• roil
• ire
• aggravate
• provoke
• steam up
• madden
• incense
• exasperate
• tick off
• rub the wrong way
• vex
• antagonize
• ruffle
• affront
• pique
• miff
• burn (up)
• cross
• get one's goat
• embitter
• get
• huff
• peeve
• put out
• nettle
• envenom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• please
• relieve
• gratify
• delight
• allay
• assuage
• soothe
• placate
• appease
• pacify
• comfort
• conciliate
• console
• settle
• calm
• mollify
• quiet
• lull
• charm
• disarm
• beguile
• captivate
• bewitch
• enchant

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

Recent Examples of rile

Every time one of those comments riles you up, pull up a photo album from a recent trip and remind yourself that some people just talk about plans (or type about them), and some people do them. —R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 13 May 2025

This description riled up many of those who prefer to view Trump as a cartoon villain (the kind who twirls his mustache while plotting global domination). —Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

In the early days of his presidency, Lai carefully avoided riling Beijing unnecessarily. —Ian Bremmer, Time, 26 Apr. 2025

The second baseman claimed that Bacon said some things that ultimately riled him up, but Chisholm declined to elaborate. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025