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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.
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Recent Examples of ruffles
Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Romantic touches of lace, velvet and ruffles mixed among all the button-up, back-to-the-office options.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
The trick is to balance all that volume at the bottom with lightness at the top à la ruffles or other romantic details.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 15 Feb. 2026
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
While it was made in the ‘90s, the collection (which showed slip dresses, shirts with undulating ruffles, and jacquard silk jackets constructed to look permanently burst-open) was inspired by the romance between Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 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
Dust ruffles may have gone the way of the dodo after their heyday in the maximalist ’80s, but the absolute best bed skirts (done up in cottagecore ginghams and frothy sateens and linens) are putting the antiquated bed dressing back on the map.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026
Richardson even wore a dress that fit her character’s zany persona—a sheer leopard-print mini trimmed with ruffles of white lace and complemented by a stripe of red plaid.
—Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 15 Jan. 2026
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
The designs featured corsets, bustles, feathers, ruffles, and a limited color palette of black, white and tan, with a splash of red.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Romantic touches of lace, velvet and ruffles mixed among all the button-up, back-to-the-office options.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
The trick is to balance all that volume at the bottom with lightness at the top à la ruffles or other romantic details.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 15 Feb. 2026
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
While it was made in the ‘90s, the collection (which showed slip dresses, shirts with undulating ruffles, and jacquard silk jackets constructed to look permanently burst-open) was inspired by the romance between Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 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
Dust ruffles may have gone the way of the dodo after their heyday in the maximalist ’80s, but the absolute best bed skirts (done up in cottagecore ginghams and frothy sateens and linens) are putting the antiquated bed dressing back on the map.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026
Richardson even wore a dress that fit her character’s zany persona—a sheer leopard-print mini trimmed with ruffles of white lace and complemented by a stripe of red plaid.
—Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
-
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
Noun
-
As a bonus, currant shrubs lack the thorns found on many other berry bushes.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond the trees a fence of thorns.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One of its two young sibling protagonists, Amber (Bianca Belle), channels her feelings about the recent death of her mother into drawings of creatures born out of her troubled imagination, some of whom enact violence against the classmate who annoys her.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
-
There's just one thing about Claire Danes that annoys Matthew Rhys.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
22 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That would create major headaches and cause even more travel disruptions than occur.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Airbags and seatbelts help, but people may still end up with lingering pain, limited movement, or headaches.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Travelers are advised to inspect hotel rooms upon arrival and use precautions like plastic bags or luggage liners to prevent bringing bed bugs home.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Check the head and base and foot of the bed, peeling back the top sheet to look for evidence on mattress covers, box springs, dust ruffles, and the headboard—and most importantly, the mattress seams and piping because bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
25 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The northeastern part of Norway curls around Sweden and borders Finland, too.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
This makes sweet bay magnolia a good selection for rain gardens and pond edges, along with more traditional planting sites in borders and lawns.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Most people are able to put the splint away once their plantar fasciitis no longer bothers them.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That inward struggle made it to the surface because Glenn no longer bothers with charades.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are no frills or fancy touches, but a sense of familiarity and open-mindedness radiates throughout.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
-
At first glance, Lauren Sánchez Bezos's latest look is nothing more than a refreshingly simple '90s slipdress—a navy minidress with form-fitting silhouette and a minimalist no frills approach.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffles. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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