1
as in angry
feeling or showing anger
some visibly riley people were lined up in the customer service department
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in muddy
having visible particles in liquid suspension
take care not to stir up the bottom of the stream when you fill the dipper, or your water will be riley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riley
Adjective
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Meanwhile, members of Congress are likely to face some angry, dissatisfied voters — with the year’s first major primary day fast approaching on March 3.—
Marissa Martinez,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026 -
But the attempt at humor didn’t satisfy some angry fans who believe Mets President David Stearns swindled Getz in a trade that essentially was a salary dump.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The walk to the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, which is hosting men’s and women’s competitions at the 2026 Olympic Games, is a muddy one.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
4 Feb. 2026
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Once the ground is thawed enough to be worked with—but not oversaturated or muddy-feeling—use a rake or roller to try and even things back out.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Pederson is something of a mad scientist with bats.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s beloved novel has been driving people mad since the project was first announced.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And many people are gonna go ballistic in Brazil.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
10 Feb. 2026
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Police said officers shot the suspect and his grandmother during the gunfight, and that the suspect also hit one officer in the ballistic vest.—
Chase Rogers,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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However, her direct and outspoken approach has also led to controversy, with enraged officials in Honduras once wanting to declare her persona non grata.—
Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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And why did that treatment — at least initially — leave Zverev so enraged?—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Depictions of such raw humanity have the capacity to shape us into more compassionate community members, more thoughtful voters and more indignant seekers of justice.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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By documenting not just his actions but showing the privilege his race, religion and background afford him in comparison to his colleagues, the film reveals the inherent inequality in whose stories get told, and who’s allowed to be angry, indignant and morally correct.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Right next to that is a showcase for Rubin’s frenetic playing in the form of a furious pattern over slashing guitars.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
13 Feb. 2026
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Two other high-ranking music executives from outside the company, who also spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity to maintain relationships there, said talent and agents at Wasserman Music are furious, and planning exits if Wasserman stays much longer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In lieu of any local angle or a national controversy to get outraged over, what’s a sports columnist to do to fill space on a lazy sports Sunday in the middle of February?—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Much of his nascent mayoral campaign has focused on sincere, outraged messaging about governmental fraud and waste.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Riley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riley. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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