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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
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Recent Examples of ruffles
Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
Manuel then slipped into a stark white dress overflowing with ruffles and shrugged on a matching lace shawl with long fringing over it—all key elements to bringing his hypnotizing moves to life.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
When most people think about boho today—especially amid its recent revival—an airy romance of cascading ruffles and suede almost certainly comes to mind.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
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
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
Employing the teeniest of ruffles, this West Elm sheet set features just a hint of twee detailing, almost like a playful coquette.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
Manuel then slipped into a stark white dress overflowing with ruffles and shrugged on a matching lace shawl with long fringing over it—all key elements to bringing his hypnotizing moves to life.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
When most people think about boho today—especially amid its recent revival—an airy romance of cascading ruffles and suede almost certainly comes to mind.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
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
-
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,
28 Feb. 2026
-
When Hyacinth flounces off to check the hall, Eloise hot on her trail, Sophie begs for a moment of Violet’s time.—
Christina Grace Tucker,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lisianthus, sometimes referred to as the rose without thorns, is a favorite among florists and gardeners alike.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
5 Mar. 2026
-
As a bonus, currant shrubs lack the thorns found on many other berry bushes.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Think of something that annoys you, connect it to masculinity by adding bro, and proceed as though that bro were a category of person.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Patients can also experience fever, headaches and body aches.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Donor requests for internships for their family members also led to overcrowding in the office and logistical headaches for schedulers, one former staffer said.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 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
-
But even for longtime Border Patrol agents, who are trained at an academy in the deserts of New Mexico and stationed along the northern and southern borders, high-density cities are unfamiliar terrain.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The traditionally conservative 14th Congressional District is situated in the northwest corner of Georgia and borders both Alabama and Tennessee.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That notion clearly bothers Schoen and the organization.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
One thing that bothers him, though, is the calls from GVA asking for cash to shore up financing on the underwater properties as loan rates skyrocketed and monthly debt servicing led to losses.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No frills, no fancy claims to fame; the Jet Set features the brand’s signature logo-print canvas, a clean and classic silhouette, and luxe gold hardware that goes with everything.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
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Brittany and Devonta Like Chris and Bri during the prior episode, Brittany and Devonta end things outside of the frills of a wedding — and appear to have opposite ideas of what the future holds for them.—
Sarah Hearon,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffles. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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