1
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ruffle
Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
The vibrant indigo top acts as a welcome disruptor against the feminine ruffles and tiers of the bottoms.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
Krista Carter, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
Andrew Marshall has ruffled some feathers in his volunteer role caring for Lake Eola’s swans.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruffle
Noun
Must orders include cotoletta alla Milanese with sunny saffron risotto and vitello tonnato; thin ruffles of veal topped with tuna sauce and fat caper berries.
—Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
The vibrant indigo top acts as a welcome disruptor against the feminine ruffles and tiers of the bottoms.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Then, ruffle your hair with your fingers for a piece-y, undone finish.
—Krista Carter, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
Andrew Marshall has ruffled some feathers in his volunteer role caring for Lake Eola’s swans.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffle
Noun
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After pouring out all of Tallulah’s earthly possessions — loose cash, thongs, several vapes, Bubble Tape — Paulena takes the bag and flounces off, leaving Tallulah vibrating with rage and Maia quietly panicking.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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The flounce hem is feminine and fun, adding just enough interest to take this from plain to chic.—
Ivy Odom,
Southern Living,
9 July 2025
Noun
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The question over how Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement will impact the World Cup — when millions are expected to visit — remains a thorn in FIFA’s side.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Let’s go through your roses and thorns for some of the show’s most iconic scenes.—
Reshma Gopaldas,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rosebush Pruning, by contrast, feels designed to annoy us and push us away.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
15 Feb. 2026
-
In this short 4-minute video from CoComelon, baby JJ does a number of things that may hurt or annoy someone near him, including sitting on his sister’s painting and slurping loudly on his juice.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Her Iamraw collection, intended to channel fragility, features subtle design details like double sleeves and raw edging in fabrics like Tencel, viscose and cotton.—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
26 Jan. 2026
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The Queen Consort chose a Robinson Valentine white silk chiffon gown with scalloped edging and a matching white overcoat.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Unexpectedly, though, operators stumbled across an issue with ground support equipment that could cause more headaches for a crucial moon mission that has already slipped at least a month from its target launch date.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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Running out of memory, setting up a new phone or simply wanting peace of mind, Picture Keeper removes the headache from backups.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It’s made of organic cotton grown and harvested without harmful pesticides that can irritate those of us with sensitive skin.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
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Perimenopausal women also become more sensitive to certain skin products, which can further irritate or inflame their dry skin.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Dera was founded in 1948 by the mystic Mastana Balochistani in the Haryana city of Sirsa, near the northern state’s borders with Punjab, India’s breadbasket, and the desert state of Rajasthan.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Shovgi Huseynov, a researcher at the University at Buffalo's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in New York, was released from an immigration detention center nearly a month after making a wrong turn near the Canadian border.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Intentionally obstructing the roadway, especially while impeding emergency access, is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, as is being a public nuisance by blocking the right-of-way.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
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For rulers abroad, the Puerto Rican people were mostly a nuisance to be managed.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffle. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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