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as in thorn
something that is a source of irritation
a spouse's snoring is one ruffle that many couples must eventually come to terms with
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
the stream of minor complaints finally ruffled him into snapping, "If you don't like the way I'm doing it, do it yourself!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruffle
Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Expect fun details, like lace, ruffles, tiered skirts, drop waists, voluminous sleeves, cutouts, and much more.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 12 Mar. 2026
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Below, some of the finest, high-quality ruffled bedding around the web for creating the frothy bedscape of your daydreams.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruffle
Noun
For the occasion, my mother had put on her Balenciaga, a black dress with two wide shoulder straps, a firm bodice, a full skirt that ended a few inches above the ankles, and the illusion of an underskirt supplied by a band of taffeta ruffles, also black, that peeked out from beneath the hem.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Expect fun details, like lace, ruffles, tiered skirts, drop waists, voluminous sleeves, cutouts, and much more.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
The stunt ruffled more than a few feathers, with surveillance photos of the incident showing Fairbarn allegedly entering the habitat and roughly grabbing the bird by its legs.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Below, some of the finest, high-quality ruffled bedding around the web for creating the frothy bedscape of your daydreams.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffle
Noun
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The size of the flounce can also dictate the messaging.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
28 Feb. 2026
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When Hyacinth flounces off to check the hall, Eloise hot on her trail, Sophie begs for a moment of Violet’s time.—
Christina Grace Tucker,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Orbán has long been a thorn in the side of the EU, and has tested the bloc’s system of governance by frequently using his veto power to paralyze decision-making in order to leverage concessions.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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As many see it, a thorn in the EU's side is that major decisions require unanimity among its members.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Black also appeared as a frustrated office worker trying to get a co-worker (Ashley Padilla) to stop talking to him and others annoyed by the woman.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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Unless you’re annoyed at paying the junior engineers $300,000 a year straight out of school.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Use cut stone, corten steel, or bluestone curbs to define your driveway, prevent edging damage, and protect your plant beds.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Install Landscape Edging Plastic, steel, wood, brick, or stone garden edging creates a physical barrier that blocks underground grass roots and keeps them from spreading among your flower beds.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Matterhorn Fit treats ailments that affect the neck, back and pelvis, which include sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, thoracic pain, cervical pain, sports hernia recovery and cervicogenic headache.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Symptoms generally appear within one or two weeks of infection, and can include fever, headache, rash and body aches.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The cream contains the brand’s Active Hydramesh Technology, which fights off environmental stressors that can irritate the skin while providing up to 48 hours of hydration.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
1 Apr. 2026
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While essential oils usually don’t irritate sensitive skin, extra-sensitive folks should avoid them altogether.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Hungarians living near the southern frontier, where Orbán made a show of building a border fence during the refugee crisis, are travelling to Croatia to buy cheap groceries.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
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Under the leadership of former CEOs, including the late Thomas Storrs and Hugh McColl, Gentry was part of a team that expanded the bank far beyond North Carolina’s border.—
Chase Jordan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The site fell into neglect and became a blighted public nuisance.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The company could face even more penalties in a second phase of the trial set to start in May, over whether Meta created a public nuisance.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffle. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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