1
2
as in thorns
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 annoys
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ruffles
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
Monse and Louis Vuitton give denim dimension with exaggerated ruffles and florals constructions.
—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
24 June 2026
There's that fish net aspect in there, the ruffles to mimic the coral, the pearls.
—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
For the occasion, Olivia wore a baby pink off-the-shoulder minidress with dramatic ruffles and a train, while Christian traded in his football uniform for a black tux.
—
Alicia Brunker,
InStyle,
19 June 2026
The vibrant orange and pink shades are playful and bold, but the subtle ruffles maintains its overall refined look.
—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
The dress featured a form-fitting bodice with a high-low bottom that flared out in ruffles.
—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
In the photos, Jenner accessorizes the pink bikini with a matching pink skirt with ruffles on the bottom.
—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
And Elon Musk’s AI power plant ruffles a Mississippi city.
—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Luckily for the show, nothing ruffles the other women’s feathers more, so good television still ensues.
—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
This lightweight, ankle-length dress adheres to the dress code, while still adding a little something extra thanks to the summery ruffles that drapes across the silhouette.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
Monse and Louis Vuitton give denim dimension with exaggerated ruffles and florals constructions.
—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
24 June 2026
There's that fish net aspect in there, the ruffles to mimic the coral, the pearls.
—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
For the occasion, Olivia wore a baby pink off-the-shoulder minidress with dramatic ruffles and a train, while Christian traded in his football uniform for a black tux.
—
Alicia Brunker,
InStyle,
19 June 2026
The vibrant orange and pink shades are playful and bold, but the subtle ruffles maintains its overall refined look.
—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
The dress featured a form-fitting bodice with a high-low bottom that flared out in ruffles.
—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
In the photos, Jenner accessorizes the pink bikini with a matching pink skirt with ruffles on the bottom.
—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
Mama pats Rafa’s head then ruffles his hair.
—
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
And Elon Musk’s AI power plant ruffles a Mississippi city.
—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Luckily for the show, nothing ruffles the other women’s feathers more, so good television still ensues.
—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffles
Noun
-
Prone to wearing clothes that suggest an overgrown pre-teen herself, all frills, flounces and bright colors, Martha doesn’t look like great maternal material to Claire, although this judgmental attitude may be evidence of her own maternal deficiencies.
-
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.
Noun
-
However, some homeowners may be wary of planting roses because of their heavy thorns—especially in households with children or pets.
-
Often reaching up to six feet tall, these bushes, also known as brambles, have sharp thorns covering their branches.
Verb
-
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?
-
One of the more common ways bear encounters escalate is when an off-leash dog runs toward a bear, annoys it, and then comes sprinting back to its owner with an angry predator in pursuit.
Noun
-
In the last two years, South Africa has deported more than 100,000 people the home affairs ministry says were in the country illegally, while also stopping around 500,000 others at borders trying to enter without documents.
-
There are just too many things that can go wrong that cross national borders.
Noun
-
But the departures are often bigger PR headaches than operational ones.
-
But the move enabled Florida to lock in what will be one of the best top-six forward groups in the league, slotting Brady Tkachuck into the left wing spot on the second line alongside center Sam Bennett and right wing Matthew Tkachuk that will cause opponents major headaches.
Verb
-
When traveling, the EPA suggests inspecting any room visitors will be staying in for the presence of bed bugs.
-
As an existing subdivision — 99% of it vacant — Azure Vista offered hundreds of buildable vacant lots populated only by red ants, quail and Groucho Marx bugs.
Noun
-
No frills are left to entice or distract passengers.
-
There are no frills to the moment, just her and her microphone.
Noun
-
Those frustrations could be on the verge of boiling over.
-
South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence as migrants from poor nations like Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi generally end up settling in impoverished communities in South Africa where unemployment and frustrations are high.
Cite this Entry
“Ruffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffles. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
