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
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Recent Examples of ruffles
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Jan. 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
Valentino's Georgette fabrics, chiffon ruffles and ornate embellishments, including the exclusive budellini technique − where sheep's wool is hand-rolled into tubes, wrapped in silk and stitched together − won him a multitude of awards, including France's highest civilian distinction in 2006.
—Kim Willis, USA Today, 19 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
Vintage details like now neckties, cascading ruffles and brooches enhance the collection’s story.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Jan. 2026
The showstopping — yet timeless — gown featured a deep scoop neckline and statement ruffles along the side slit and straps.
—Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Beach weddings and backyard events are well-suited to boho and free-spirited pieces, so try a strapless or halter design with details like ruffles and rosettes.
—Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
Styled by Rose and Mackenzie Grandquist, Jenner wore a cream halterneck made of undulating ruffles, paired with a swishy, double-layer black and cream skirt that cascaded into a liquidy train.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Jan. 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
Valentino's Georgette fabrics, chiffon ruffles and ornate embellishments, including the exclusive budellini technique − where sheep's wool is hand-rolled into tubes, wrapped in silk and stitched together − won him a multitude of awards, including France's highest civilian distinction in 2006.
—Kim Willis, USA Today, 19 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
Vintage details like now neckties, cascading ruffles and brooches enhance the collection’s story.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Jan. 2026
The showstopping — yet timeless — gown featured a deep scoop neckline and statement ruffles along the side slit and straps.
—Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Beach weddings and backyard events are well-suited to boho and free-spirited pieces, so try a strapless or halter design with details like ruffles and rosettes.
—Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 6 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
-
These territorial thorns aside, Zelensky has said a proposed three-way split of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant between the US, Russia and Ukraine remains a big stumbling block.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The Teyana Taylor x Air Jordan 1, her first sneaker collaboration, released in 2023 with a predominantly red colorway featuring green thorns on its Swoosh and a massive removable gold-tone metal charm featuring her initials and a rose.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
12 Jan. 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
-
But in the weeks leading up to Christmas of 2021, Avery started getting headaches.—
Isabella Backman,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
-
No headaches, no residual or negative effects from the accident.—
Will Rice,
Outside,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This lingering becomes the sound of a book in a new room, opening, its music carried in a wind that crosses borders.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Going into the 1990s, psychiatrists were optimistic that these borders would also show up in brain scans and genetics research.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
People don’t think this bothers me.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Fortune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
At one point, Bryan Freedman, an attorney for Baldoni and the Wayfarer Studios defendants, asked Lively if negative publicity bothers her.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Often overly-formal affairs can actually detract from making your guests feel welcome; limiting the fuss and frills helps create a more relaxed atmosphere.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
This fine establishment has sat at the same address in the Williamsburg Bridge's shadow since 1887, and the interiors carry about as many frills as your average public house—dark wood, plaster walls, and so on.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffles. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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