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
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
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
Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
The locals, especially seniors and year-round residents, are riled up.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2025
Manager Mikel Arteta was riled up after Newcastle slowed play down in a January 2023 draw (0-0).
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Getting rid of the tush push will not stop the issue everyone is riled up about.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 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
What particularly riled Kiley this week was that Schiff didn’t stop there.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Like the Bull, Detective Williams gets riled up and sees red when pushed to the limit.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The chain’s loyalists were already riled up over a dramatic makeover of the menu and the country feel of the restaurants to appeal to more diners.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Foster himself is carefully presented in all the customary ways for this kind of quiet-cool, deadly-when-riled hero.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
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
My book has riled up a lot of Christians.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
The locals, especially seniors and year-round residents, are riled up.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2025
Manager Mikel Arteta was riled up after Newcastle slowed play down in a January 2023 draw (0-0).
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Getting rid of the tush push will not stop the issue everyone is riled up about.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 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
What particularly riled Kiley this week was that Schiff didn’t stop there.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Like the Bull, Detective Williams gets riled up and sees red when pushed to the limit.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The chain’s loyalists were already riled up over a dramatic makeover of the menu and the country feel of the restaurants to appeal to more diners.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riled
Adjective
-
Snook and Lacy, who display such sharp instincts in their best work, seem to have been directed to overact; cameras freeze on their exaggeratedly bewildered or angry or devastated expressions, putting exclamation points at the end of too many scenes.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
So what actually makes Powell angry?—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That defeat denied Indianapolis a playoff appearance and infuriated the man in charge of it all.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The lack of details about the operations has infuriated members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
An enraged University of Iowa student was arrested after a Turning Point USA table was flipped on campus in an incident that was caught on video.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Which casts a show seemingly designed to bypass all judgments with respect to storytelling and taste, gliding straight to the pleasure center of some imaginary horny, enraged, shopaholic feminine id, in a fairly sinister light.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
If you can’t be bothered to make the most of your credit card points, Shop With Points may be your best alternative.—
Sarah Hostetler,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Ron can’t be bothered much with Douglas.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Like Francis, Leo has faced criticism from conservative US Catholics and MAGA supporters, angered by his comments on migration and climate change.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Obama’s enthusiastic showings for both candidates was a test of whether his sway over the Democratic Party still remains after his support for Harris failed to boost her to the White House a year ago and angered black male voters who felt unfairly accused of sexism.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Health experts and Black leaders were outraged at his statement.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Parents would likely be outraged to learn the department isn’t more consistently tracking this information, said Charles Hobson, a professor at Indiana University Northwest and a board member of the advocacy group Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct & Exploitation.—
Danielle DuClos,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But those movements further irritated a rib injury that Hendrix first sustained during Wicked night.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
28 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
Cite this Entry
“Riled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riled. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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