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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to infuriate
to make angry
her husband isn't easily riled, but once he is, he stays that way for days
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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
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Easily annoyed by noises like gum smacking or cereal slurping.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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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
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The effort has infuriated critics in a city that has pioneered harm reduction.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2025
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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
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This can be particularly irritating to eczema-prone skin.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Allure,
18 Apr. 2025
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The statement concluded with an expression of solidarity with Christians who are persecuted.—
Chloe Breyer,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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