as in annoyed
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!"
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Recent Examples of ruffled
Liu, of course was among the everybodies who are anybodies — and Jeff Bezos — at last week’s Met Gala, wowing the paparazzi in a burgundy red ruffled Vuitton dress.
—
Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Fruit Punch® Dianthus This ruffled perennial dianthus makes for a striking addition to your Mother’s Day bouquet.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2026
Before that, the Rockies — who beat the Dodgers twice in 13 meetings all of last season — chased starter Roki Sasaki from the game in the fifth inning and then ruffled the Dodgers’ relievers.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
That, and pinning her promotional campaign's $220 million price tag on the boss, may have ruffled a few important feathers at the White House.
—Ted Koppel, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruffled
Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Fruit Punch® Dianthus This ruffled perennial dianthus makes for a striking addition to your Mother’s Day bouquet.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2026
Before that, the Rockies — who beat the Dodgers twice in 13 meetings all of last season — chased starter Roki Sasaki from the game in the fifth inning and then ruffled the Dodgers’ relievers.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
That, and pinning her promotional campaign's $220 million price tag on the boss, may have ruffled a few important feathers at the White House.
—Ted Koppel, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruffled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffled
Verb
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Ever been annoyed after Windows setup that your user folder has a weird name?—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2026
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When people get their interest rate wrong, they get annoyed.—
Sam Sammane,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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It is expected that Mourinho will try to tighten control over leaks concerning internal dressing-room matters, something that has irritated the club this season — and which Alonso sought to tackle.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Even though the calf irritated him over the weekend, the ankle is still the primary problem.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Even as Dylan maneuvers weightier situations like romantic rejection, or the uncertainty of a new leadership position, or feeling bothered that a promising student decides to turn her back on poetry, the actress brings a sense of humanity while embracing her character’s flaws.—
Candice Frederick,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
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Gilgeous-Alexander, smothered and bothered, was a minus-13 in the period.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
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When Riley returned to the table, La La told me that his high profile in the city sometimes bugged her, because fans were always interrupting them, even sitting down at their table.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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Upon arriving at big-league camp this spring, Rojas said the different grip initially bugged him.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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During and shortly after the Spanish Civil War, Franco’s regime, too, persecuted Esperantists for the language’s association with anti–nationalism and anarchism.—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
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Blanche, who defended the fund at a congressional hearing this week, has said anyone who believes they’ve been persecuted can apply for compensation regardless of political affiliation.—
Eric Tucker,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffled. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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