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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of riling
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
Jaxson de Ville is riling up supporters via pub crawl.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
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
-
Meynecke said his footage suggested the whales found their hangers-on annoying.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Thankfully, the best faux garlands offer the look and oftentimes feel of the real thing without the sticky sap or annoying cleanup.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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If something’s bothering you, say so.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
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Saft, not bothering to remove his sneakers, leaped onto a chair to place an ornate gold mirror over the mantelpiece.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump’s tariffs have backfired in numerous ways, including by angering US farmers – a key voting bloc – and creating a rare-earth shortage.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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Following physical and emotional abuse, Lafferty became an anxious child who was constantly afraid of angering adults around her.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Formulated in Korea with natural, non-irritating ingredients suitable for sensitive skin, the face masks are the first example, infusing hydrating and calming ingredients such as Vitamin B12 and aloe.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
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Some viewers find her impulsiveness more irritating than endearing.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Time to start bugging a friend with Hulu + Live TV instead or invest in an antenna.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Co-worker bugging you during heads down time?—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This toy mildly infuriating me.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
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Just a year after the bill was passed, it was rolled back to help pay for tax cuts – infuriating public health officials and anti-tobacco groups.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Premier League has been a frustrating product this season.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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Some of the diciest action – and most frustrating nights – for Powell involved sprinting across wet cobblestones or through a graveyard full of smoke in the dark.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly alleged that the South African government is actively persecuting white citizens, particularly farmers.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Riling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riling. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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