ROIL Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

roil

verb

ˈrȯi(-ə)l

Definition of roil

as in to swirl

to be in a state of violent rolling motion the waters of the gulf tossed and roiled as the hurricane surged toward the shore

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to anger

to make angry the clerk's brusque refusal of her request roiled her enough to prompt a complaint to his supervisor

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 roil The revelation is the latest example of how engaging the technology — and obfuscating such use — can roil audiences eager to support new films. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 Tariff upheaval has roiled trading relationships on a global scale, but an ongoing dialogue is taking place between brands and their suppliers. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026 Skip to main content Country legend, activist, and all-around good guy Willie Nelson has weighed in on the data-center debate that is currently roiling America’s city council meetings and political races. — Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 28 July 2026 Indeed, more than a year after the program was cut, the debate over what happened—and who is at fault—continues to roil. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for roil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for roil

Verb

Yet fighting for the spotlight could be the least of their problems, as questions swirled over how the Sussexes would actually pull off life in Britain.

— Lauryn Overhultz , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The What podcast, shared an update with fans amid swirling rumors that the beloved fest had been canceled.

— Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of swirl

Verb

The White House had previously angered US ranchers by quadrupling low-tariff imports of Argentine beef to cool prices.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
During a joint practice last summer in Houston, Moehrig decked Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson on a hard but clean hit that angered a few of Hutchinson’s teammates.

— Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Verb

Gelato is churned more slowly than ice cream, giving it a dense, almost taffy-like chewy texture.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
European butter is typically churned for a longer amount of time, which means that more buttermilk and water drains off of the solids.

— Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of churn

Verb

But maybe that low point and the unexpected departure of Stokes and the return of Joe Root as Test captain ahead of the white-ball skipper has proved a turning point for one of the most gifted but infuriating batters of his generation.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
There are a variety of reasons for this — from reasonable to infuriating — why those who paid higher prices won’t be getting refunds.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of infuriate

Verb

Local tradition holds that eggs soaked and boiled in the urine of young boys protect the body against heat stroke and joint pain.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
Whisk together boiling water and strawberry gelatin in a large bowl until dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes.

— Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of boil

Verb

The comment at a rally last Sunday titillated, provoked and enraged different audiences simultaneously, all but guaranteeing saturation news coverage and even more attention.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
North Carolina and Bill Belichick got zero, no doubt enraging girlfriend Jordon Hudson.

— Greg Cote August 2, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of enrage

Verb

That was Gardner’s first game with the Colts after being acquired from the New York Jets, and while Indy pulled out the OT victory, Gardner was still annoyed by some of the social media chatter afterward.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Debt collectors also can't repeatedly call with the intent to annoy, abuse or harass you.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoy

Browse Nearby Words

roguishness

roil

roiled

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Style

“Roil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roil. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of roil

verb

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