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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 Getting rid of the tush push will not stop the issue everyone is riled up about. Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 The Emmy Awards are officially here, bringing with them a list of winners to rile up fan-cam editors on TikTok. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025 Inflammation also riles up the immune system, which can spiral out of control and attack the heart and other organs. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025 That’s because Kirk was beloved by so many gun owners, Martin said, and his death has riled them beyond the point where they could be suppressed. Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
Verb
  • In practice, Musk bowed to authoritarian governments or banned critical journalists when their reporting annoyed him.
    Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Joe proceeded to get drunk, annoy her (and multiple other cast members), and ultimately exit the party early to pass out in his room.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In March, a bloc of centrist lawmakers broke ranks to advance a Republican spending bill without concessions, infuriating progressive groups that accused party leaders of capitulation.
    Nik Popli, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
  • My astrologer’s eyes twinkled with infuriating delight.
    Jessie Rosen, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water and drink through a straw to avoid damaging tooth enamel and irritating the esophagus.
    Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The decision by Aaron Turner, Kuminga’s agent, to go on a media tour in recent weeks while negotiating publicly in hopes of landing a better offer for Kuminga, irritated some with the organization, according to league sources.
    Nick Friedell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And nothing angers the Survivor gods more than reality TV hubris.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Comments the host made after the murder of right wing activist and influencer Charlie Kirk angered MAGA supporters and saw the nation’s largest station group, Nexstar – which has its own mega merger up for review at the FCC – preempt the late night staple.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Reviewing pages have been thinned by the forces of history and technology; few Pynchon skeptics anymore bother to take the time to read the novels and register their objections.
    Book Marks October 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
  • But Bob Say, owner of Los Angeles’ Freakbeat Records, for one, isn’t all that bothered.
    Roy Trakin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As a huge golf lover myself, I was enraged by having to listen to the constant abuse and unsporting behaviour of the crowd.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Trump had already enraged some Indians by taking credit for brokering a ceasefire, in May, between India and Pakistan, after the countries had engaged in their worst military conflict in decades.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In Nazi Germany, transgender people were persecuted, barred from public life.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Blasphemy accusations have been used repeatedly to persecute Christians and other religious minorities in the country.
    Sean Nelson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Daily Stride Comfort No-show Socks There is nothing that bugs me more than no-show socks that curl up underneath your foot minutes into wearing them.
    Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
  • At the end of the 19th century, Phylloxera bugs infected vineyards across Europe but a solution was found, and viticulture adapted and continued.
    Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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