Synonyms of ruffle

ruffle 1 of 2

noun

1

as in flounce

a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge and used as trimming

likes lace curtains without ruffles and chintz curtains with ruffles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flounce
• edging
• border
• skirting
• trim
• fringe
• frill
• furbelow
• ruff
• pleat
• plait
• bunting

2

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

• thorn
• headache
• nuisance
• rub
• frustration
• worry
• irritant
• hair shirt
• annoyance
• irk
• inconvenience
• problem
• exasperation
• insult
• pest
• vexation
• bother
• peeve
• aggro
• trial
• aggravation
• bugbear
• menace
• upset
• burden
• discomfort
• affront
• hassle
• pinprick
• botheration
• cross
• anxiety
• curse
• fleabite
• albatross
• trouble
• predicament
• plague
• offender
• millstone
• disturber
• offense
• sore
• plight
• annoyer
• pet peeve
• harasser
• pandora's box
• mischief
• tribulation
• hang-up
• affliction

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• joy
• delight

ruffle

2 of 2

verb

ˈrə-fəl 

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

• annoy
• irritate
• bother
• bug
• persecute
• get
• aggravate
• rile
• frost
• eat
• infuriate
• exasperate
• anger
• tease
• grate
• nettle
• spite
• get to
• chafe
• irk
• vex
• pique
• burn (up)
• wear on
• worry
• itch
• put out
• gripe
• rasp
• gall
• hack (off)
• provoke
• insult
• stick in one's craw
• nark
• set one's teeth on edge
• peeve
• rub the wrong way
• offend
• plague
• get one's goat
• upset
• enrage
• get on one's nerves
• harass
• rouse
• antagonize
• nag
• devil
• inflame
• badger
• agitate
• rankle
• distress
• heckle
• unsettle
• outrage
• perturb
• bullyrag
• hassle
• bait
• pester
• undo
• harry
• roil
• fret
• discomfort
• incense
• disquiet
• discompose
• exercise
• affront
• unhinge
• hagride
• madden
• freak (out)
• miff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• placate
• appease
• oblige
• pacify
• conciliate
• please
• satisfy
• gratify
• mollify
• delight
• assure
• propitiate
• content
• cheer
• comfort
• soothe
• reassure
• quiet
• console
• gladden
• solace

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ruffle

Noun

The collar, button-front, and belted waist all help this find feel ultra classic, yet the ruffle at the hem makes this style feel flirty and fun, too. — Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2026

The breezy, free-flowing silhouette kept me comfortable—even during the East Coast heat wave—while the playful ruffle hem and alternating striped pattern added just the right amount of movement and romance to complement the seaside setting. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026

Verb

Roy interjected with the mischievous smirk typical of a younger brother trying to ruffle some feathers. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization quickly followed suit, shelving the project that had been in the works for over a decade and ruffling feathers at the state level and among business leaders. — Nicholas Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026