1
as in swirling
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in angering
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
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Recent Examples of roiling
For the market, the coaching carousel will keep roiling until vacancies are filled, and big names like Riley will continue to get floated around.
—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Still, there were signs even on Tuesday of the internal tensions that have been roiling the party over the past year.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
The industry is also affecting an already-roiling climate with its enormous energy demands.
—Bruce Schneier, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2025
Linked by the fire, a cashier, fire-fighter, district attorney and student battle to prevent tragedy, the blaze’s consequences still roiling two decades later.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Arnett’s comic timing is a given, but the actor finds previously unseen depths in the ache roiling underneath.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
While the issues roiling America today may be more nuanced than slavery, there are still stark contrasts—forces of democracy and authoritarianism that can pretty fairly be described as right and wrong.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Against the economic and social turmoil roiling the industry and the world at large, the couple has learned to dream pragmatically.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
According to Szetela, this era of expression has seen authors and publishers — many committed to progressive ideals — choosing to self-censor to appease a moral panic roiling the political left.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Still, there were signs even on Tuesday of the internal tensions that have been roiling the party over the past year.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
The industry is also affecting an already-roiling climate with its enormous energy demands.
—Bruce Schneier, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2025
Linked by the fire, a cashier, fire-fighter, district attorney and student battle to prevent tragedy, the blaze’s consequences still roiling two decades later.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Arnett’s comic timing is a given, but the actor finds previously unseen depths in the ache roiling underneath.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
While the issues roiling America today may be more nuanced than slavery, there are still stark contrasts—forces of democracy and authoritarianism that can pretty fairly be described as right and wrong.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Against the economic and social turmoil roiling the industry and the world at large, the couple has learned to dream pragmatically.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
According to Szetela, this era of expression has seen authors and publishers — many committed to progressive ideals — choosing to self-censor to appease a moral panic roiling the political left.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roiling
Verb
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The clouds have been swirling around Andrews for much of the season.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
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Here, sea level rise is accelerating at some of the most extreme rates on Earth, while hurricanes increasingly are swirling ashore with an unprecedented ferociousness.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The board instead approved a resolution to reexamine current campus spaces, angering some parents.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile another son, Eduardo, lobbied US officials to impose tariffs on Brazil in response to the verdict, angering many back home.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Marine officials said the tossing and churning in the surf caused gases to form and inflate the tongue.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Bears defensive lineman Austin Booker was the next defender to contact Kinnard, but Kinnard kept churning his feet.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The implications are infuriating.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The hosts’ stand-in captain was at his eccentric best, infuriating bowlers and fielders alike.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If Brussels sprouts cause discomfort, try boiling them briefly before roasting.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Baking Soda and Hot Water Fill a sink or container with hot water (boiling water is best) and submerge the glass vessel.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Cramped, about living with debilitating period pain, is funny, educational, and at times enraging.—
Benjamin Cannon,
The Atlantic,
23 Dec. 2025
-
Paul’s antics are enraging, a bit funny, and a perfect encapsulation of the Chris Paul experience.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The Clash in 1983 were definitely in that category, as Strummer and Simonon kept seething at Jones’ prima-donna airs.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
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None of this has sat well with Robert, who is currently off the force, lying low, and seething at both Kyle and Evelyn.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Visiting the shrine as prime minister would risk inflaming anger in the region.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Hollywood these days feels really fearful of enflaming conservative ire.—
David Amsden,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Roiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roiling. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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