as in angry
feeling or showing anger
the woman was obviously riled, as she kept throwing things
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 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
-
Davis remains angry that none of the church’s former leaders were held accountable.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
-
In the end, of course, an angry mob does chase the monsters around the castle, only to be chased by them in return (the monsters having rediscovered their reason for being), which results in some serviceable monster slapstick.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One report, citing a source close to Sheridan, even claimed the writer was annoyed that Paramount sent too many of its top suits to a meeting designed to keep Sheridan onboard, arguing that Ellison had messed up by bringing more than two execs along with him.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Simonson suggested that bartenders don’t really disdain the Bloody Mary; they just are annoyed at having to make what is almost universally considered a brunch drink after hours.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some of these killings infuriated local residents, many of whom believe killing bears should be the last resort.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
That has infuriated business leaders who complain it makes the state less competitive and drives away the wealthy.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Mistaken as the murderer, Mary is stoned and buried alive in a shallow grave by the enraged townspeople.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The defense attorney, Michael Caesar, told jurors that Bragg became enraged after Gladney outed him as a gay man, and sought revenge.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 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
Verb
-
And that angered the most important voters in New Jersey, Martha, the independents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
-
That loss of sales has already angered many Midwestern soybean farmers, who see the administration’s Argentina outreach as benefiting a competitor while leaving American exporters disadvantaged.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 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
-
Trier noticed that some directors said hello to him, whereas others couldn’t be bothered.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Still, the simplicity wasn’t what bothered him.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riled. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share