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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ruffle
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Sheer fabrics became power statements when paired with leather, and ruffles were structured rather than fussy.
—Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
The move ruffled the feathers of a number of leaders across Latin America, who still grapple with the complicated legacy and violent fallout of past American intervention in the region.
—Megan Janetsky, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruffle
Noun
Natalia Bryant stepped out for Milan Fashion Week in a flowing ivory ensemble with ruffles and a short train.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Sheer fabrics became power statements when paired with leather, and ruffles were structured rather than fussy.
—Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
The entry of electric vehicles, however, could shake things up — disrupt the industry and ruffle the pecking order.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
The move ruffled the feathers of a number of leaders across Latin America, who still grapple with the complicated legacy and violent fallout of past American intervention in the region.
—Megan Janetsky, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffle
Noun
-
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
-
Two centuries later, frills and flounces are back in style on the heels of the cottagecore bedding scene, allowing your bedscape to embrace its softer side.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Last season, the Hurricanes had the league’s 25th-best power play, and the man advantage has been a thorn in the team’s side during almost every playoff disappointment.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Flynn has persistently been a thorn in the side of Wu all year, and some of his proposals are legit.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In practice, Musk bowed to authoritarian governments or banned critical journalists when their reporting annoyed him.—
Jacob Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Joe proceeded to get drunk, annoy her (and multiple other cast members), and ultimately exit the party early to pass out in his room.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Depending on the thickness of the steel chosen, the edging can last from 20 to 25 years.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
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Fill empty spaces with more soil to ensure the edging is compact.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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If the thought of budgeting gives you a headache, there's another way to approach managing your money without tracking every expense or obsessing over spreadsheets.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Symptoms of the more serious illness include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, according to the CDC.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His eerie calm seems to irritate Dawn even more than a candidly emotional confrontation would have done.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
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The cranky and irritating backseat driver, who bums a lift midway through the Griswolds' adventure, also has with her the easily excitable pooch Dinky.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Adult box tree moths are white with a brown border, according to ODA, and are highly mobile.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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The Department of Defense has prioritized border security, Middle East operations, and the Golden Dome missile defense system in its shutdown strategy.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Situations like this are certainly a nuisance, but the quickest way to cause animosity with your neighbors is to come between them and their sleep.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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While many consider the mammal a nuisance for raiding garbage cans and damaging property, raccoons can also carry diseases, and they probably shouldn't be kept as housepets.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffle. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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