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
Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
The issue has riled the pharmaceutical industry and contributed to a long-standing clash with hospitals over the 340B drug discount program.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 1 June 2026
Even when The Breadwinner starts to tiptoe toward potential reactionary ideas about who belongs in the workplace and who belongs at home, the movie backs off and makes sure that no leaves the theater riled up.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
New York — Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who has a net worth estimated at roughly $200 billion, was recently asked about California’s wealth tax proposal that has some billionaires riled up.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Boldy returned to action with the second line for the second period — drawing a roar from the crowd that was riled up about the officiating throughout the first period — and assisted on a goal that tied it at 2.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Stuttgart’s Chris Führich had riled the home team with the opener in the 21st minute, but Bayern’s Raphaël Guerreiro, Nicolas Jackson and Alphonso Davies replied by scoring in a six-minute spell in the first half.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
The common threads are authors being riled at adaptations that do not — in their view — closely honor the source material, or feel like their views are not being taken into account.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Other times, the likes of junior safety Kyle Hall has gotten the defense riled up after batting down a ball that was basically in Wagner’s hands.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 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
After New York pulled off a 29-point comeback against the Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 10, riled up fans flocked to the San Antonio team's New York City hotel, where Wembanyama was met with boos and nearly pelted with eggs.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
The issue has riled the pharmaceutical industry and contributed to a long-standing clash with hospitals over the 340B drug discount program.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 1 June 2026
Even when The Breadwinner starts to tiptoe toward potential reactionary ideas about who belongs in the workplace and who belongs at home, the movie backs off and makes sure that no leaves the theater riled up.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
New York — Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who has a net worth estimated at roughly $200 billion, was recently asked about California’s wealth tax proposal that has some billionaires riled up.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Boldy returned to action with the second line for the second period — drawing a roar from the crowd that was riled up about the officiating throughout the first period — and assisted on a goal that tied it at 2.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Stuttgart’s Chris Führich had riled the home team with the opener in the 21st minute, but Bayern’s Raphaël Guerreiro, Nicolas Jackson and Alphonso Davies replied by scoring in a six-minute spell in the first half.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
The common threads are authors being riled at adaptations that do not — in their view — closely honor the source material, or feel like their views are not being taken into account.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Other times, the likes of junior safety Kyle Hall has gotten the defense riled up after batting down a ball that was basically in Wagner’s hands.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riled
Adjective
-
Texts, screen grabs, recordings and other records recovered from a search of Rinderknecht’s cellphones portray a man who was by turns lonely and livid, angry at billionaires and ex-romantic partners while seemingly scared about his own declining mental health.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
So that prompted protests and disturbances in Southampton, and a huge, angry reaction from the far right, both within Britain and internationally.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
And get annoyed when people spell it wrong anyway?—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
Rather than be annoyed, however, both Zach and Kayda seem to mostly welcome Bryce’s presence, all three of them bonded.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The decision to send in state troopers – some on horseback – infuriated many protesters while drawing praise from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.—
Leigh Waldman,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
Those exemptions — and the government stipends many seminary students receive up to the age of 26 — have infuriated many Israelis.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Matt Riddle took the opportunity before an enraged Alex Hammerstone could make his mark.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Pratt became enraged at the city’s leadership, accusing Bass of negligence.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
Verb
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But former captain Landon Donovan is bothered by the fact that no American side since 2002 has won a knockout-round game and reached the quarterfinals.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
-
Be specific about what behaviors bothered the rest of the group, and tell him no one is willing to travel with her again.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Blanche has also defended the Justice Department seeking charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has angered conservatives in recent years, under his leadership.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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High ticket prices and exorbitant transportation and parking fees have angered fans and drawn the attention of politicians and state attorneys general.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Unaccustomed to being challenged in person, the southern plantation owners who ran the Senate were at first stunned, and then outraged.—
Rob Wolfe,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
-
That’s why soccer fans were outraged to learn FIFA will no longer allow fans to bring an empty bottle into games.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Armenia’s pivot to the West has irritated the Kremlin, however.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
It is expected that Mourinho will try to tighten control over leaks concerning internal dressing-room matters, something that has irritated the club this season — and which Alonso sought to tackle.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riled. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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