as in angry
feeling or showing anger
the woman was obviously riled, as she kept throwing things
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in annoyed
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in infuriated
to make angry
her husband isn't easily riled, but once he is, he stays that way for days
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riled
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
The more people tell them to pipe down, the more riled up Kizzi and Joe get.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
They’re aided by a small team of assistants who double as dogsitters when Siwa’s poodle Clyde gets too riled up in the dance studio — he’s been known to nip the ankles of men.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
While two sources say Sarandos was riled to hear about this during a chance encounter with a Penguin executive, a Netflix insider says the Co-CEO never met anyone at the publishing house regarding the book.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The product of an online hip-hop ecosystem now built around getting attention through clipfarming social media accounts made to get millennials riled up?
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
But Big Ten coaches voted for Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg as their Coach of the Year, so perhaps May’s success has riled some of his peers.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Rosenberg and others of his ilk like Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones and Hasan Piker and Bob Grant from decades ago, play to their audience’s fears, getting their listeners riled up.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Golden turned and riled up the 11,000-plus in attendance.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
And yet Josh Safdie’s Oscar contender and Jacob Tierney’s TV phenomenon have riled up parts of their audience in similar ways.
—David Colman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026
The trend is worrisome for some politics watchers because weapons are readily available when voters get riled by their leaders and disputes go beyond harsh words.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Jacobs, at least in the movie, never gets riled or angry or stressed.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
The more people tell them to pipe down, the more riled up Kizzi and Joe get.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
They’re aided by a small team of assistants who double as dogsitters when Siwa’s poodle Clyde gets too riled up in the dance studio — he’s been known to nip the ankles of men.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
April Fools' Day was a thing back then, too — and of course, other fanciful stories that might have gotten Chicagoans riled up have turned up since.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
While two sources say Sarandos was riled to hear about this during a chance encounter with a Penguin executive, a Netflix insider says the Co-CEO never met anyone at the publishing house regarding the book.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The product of an online hip-hop ecosystem now built around getting attention through clipfarming social media accounts made to get millennials riled up?
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
But Big Ten coaches voted for Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg as their Coach of the Year, so perhaps May’s success has riled some of his peers.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Rosenberg and others of his ilk like Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones and Hasan Piker and Bob Grant from decades ago, play to their audience’s fears, getting their listeners riled up.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Golden turned and riled up the 11,000-plus in attendance.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
And yet Josh Safdie’s Oscar contender and Jacob Tierney’s TV phenomenon have riled up parts of their audience in similar ways.
—David Colman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026
The trend is worrisome for some politics watchers because weapons are readily available when voters get riled by their leaders and disputes go beyond harsh words.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riled
Adjective
-
The 72-year-old coach walked toward Staley in the final seconds of the game before the two had an angry exchange, with assistants having to get in between them.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
When you're stressed or angry, your cortisol levels rise, which can have adverse effects on your heart, metabolism, and immune system.—
Sharon Basaraba,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The platform’s staff has seemed minorly annoyed at the shots Denk and others at Beehiiv have taken as Substack has moved from disruptor to incumbent.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
One who grew up respectful but annoyed by the success the league previously had in Seattle.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The decision infuriated local opponents, who have applauded selectmen’s decision in mid-March to authorize legal action to try to reverse the vote.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The liberal Democratic governor, whose strict gun control measures have long infuriated gun owners, this week filed a bill to allow Sunday hunting and expand crossbow hunting, long overdue moves that aimed to shore up one of her biggest weaknesses in an election year.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Shortly after administering the technical to an enraged Self, referee Doug Sirmons hit KU’s coach with another tech, ostensibly for remaining on the court instead of returning to the coach’s box.—
Gary Bedore
March 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Latinx people of conscience recognize our own tios, tias, primos, primas, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers in the brown faces being livestreamed with blood and agony pouring into enraged mouths asking for help.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Heat’s third matchup of the season against the Raptors didn’t go well either, as Toronto’s length on the defensive end again bothered Miami.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Some voters were bothered by Turning Point's involvement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While Decurion may be operating within its rights as owner of the property, its secretive and mysterious business practices have increasingly angered film fans concerned about the future of moviegoing in the city.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Netanyahu angered Trump earlier in the war by attacking Iranian oil and gas facilities; but Netanyahu then pivoted to Iranian infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.—
Daniel Kurtzer,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Although many music fans welcomed Ye’s return to the stage there, Pepsi had also widely tagged in outraged tweets protesting the company’s apparent support for him as sole headliner.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In the summer of 2022, Bruce Springsteen fans were outraged when floor tickets skyrocketed to the $4,000 to $5,000 price range.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Even minimal exposure to artificial lights irritated his burns, and recovery took months.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Many people have come out of the woodwork and jumped on the bandwagon, which irritated me.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riled. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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