as in annoying
causing annoyance
a riling habit that drives his wife crazy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bothering
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 angering
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 riling
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 8 July 2025
Verb
Officials like Bongino are in the awkward position of backtracking after years of highlighting the case and lobbying for the release of information from the sidelines — riling up their viewers and supporters in the process.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 8 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riling
Adjective
-
Having to spend your day punching up a crappy slide deck your colleague’s chatbot spit out is annoying, to be sure.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
-
His meme humor and utter dedication to that god-awful nickname should be annoying.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The injury that will sideline Herro to begin this season is one that had been bothering him for a few months.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Even scrambling around, his knee was bothering him.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The new program, Train SMART, also risks angering a network of grassroots chapters and gun violence prevention volunteers at Everytown.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Dwight also declines that, angering Ray.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The gentle cream is designed for daily use and is fragrance-free and non-irritating.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
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The irritating truth is that there’s no shoe that’s absolutely perfect for every single runner.—
Kristen Geil,
Outside,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In March, a bloc of centrist lawmakers broke ranks to advance a Republican spending bill without concessions, infuriating progressive groups that accused party leaders of capitulation.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
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My astrologer’s eyes twinkled with infuriating delight.—
Jessie Rosen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Inflation remains stubbornly high and the economic outlook subdued, frustrating efforts to repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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Bare patches dotting an otherwise green lawn can be frustrating.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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For 25 years, Chavism has co-opted Venezuela's infrastructure for its own enrichment, persecuting journalists and opposition, wrecking the economy, and leaving its citizens in poverty.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The film captures every enraging detail of the trial while using it as a jumping off point for an exploration of the history of the region and the ways in which the Chuchagasta have been bureaucratically erased in order to strip them of their property and rights.—
Vulture Staff,
Vulture,
23 Sep. 2025
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While leaders from across the political spectrum condemned the shooting and rejected the use of political violence, a flood of comments on social media celebrated Kirk’s death, enraging conservatives.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riling. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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