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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
Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
The square neckline is complemented by decorative buttons, the sleeves are designed with smocked accents and ruffles, and the stripes give it a nautical, breezy vibe that’s fit for your next beach trip or cruise.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
The front of the top was cropped, while extra fabric floated in ruffles at the back.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
The straight fit of the skirt pairs well with the peplum ruffles of the tank top.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
This floral print table runner with green ruffles along the ends measures 14 inches by 72 inches and serves as a cheerful centerpiece for your dining space.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 7 Apr. 2026
Try a dark, long-sleeve floral from Agua by Agua Bendita, or cascading ruffles in a gown the color of a great cabernet by Aje.
—Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
Chicken liver mousse is piped in ruffles on savory sablé cookies; a thimble-sized complimentary cocktail begins the meal for those who drink alcohol.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 16 Mar. 2026
For the occasion, my mother had put on her Balenciaga, a black dress with two wide shoulder straps, a firm bodice, a full skirt that ended a few inches above the ankles, and the illusion of an underskirt supplied by a band of taffeta ruffles, also black, that peeked out from beneath the hem.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 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
Think minis, midis, and maxis with one-shoulder necklines, bright floral prints, sweet eyelet embroidery, and pretty ruffles.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
The square neckline is complemented by decorative buttons, the sleeves are designed with smocked accents and ruffles, and the stripes give it a nautical, breezy vibe that’s fit for your next beach trip or cruise.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
The front of the top was cropped, while extra fabric floated in ruffles at the back.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
The straight fit of the skirt pairs well with the peplum ruffles of the tank top.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2026
This floral print table runner with green ruffles along the ends measures 14 inches by 72 inches and serves as a cheerful centerpiece for your dining space.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 7 Apr. 2026
Try a dark, long-sleeve floral from Agua by Agua Bendita, or cascading ruffles in a gown the color of a great cabernet by Aje.
—Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
Chicken liver mousse is piped in ruffles on savory sablé cookies; a thimble-sized complimentary cocktail begins the meal for those who drink alcohol.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 16 Mar. 2026
For the occasion, my mother had put on her Balenciaga, a black dress with two wide shoulder straps, a firm bodice, a full skirt that ended a few inches above the ankles, and the illusion of an underskirt supplied by a band of taffeta ruffles, also black, that peeked out from beneath the hem.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 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
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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
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Also known as seaberry, Fried says this plant is notable for its resistance to deer because of its sharp thorns and tree-like height.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
14 Apr. 2026
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Use clean pruners to trim away shoots, thorns, or roots along the soil and to help maintain the tree’s size.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
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Or when Reggie purposefully annoys Arthur by having his son, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall), practice with his a cappella group in Arthur’s editing suite, a move that demonstrates the increasingly teasing affection between Arthur and Reggie.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Plan ahead as much as possible Nailing down all the angles of your trip ahead of time can save you both a lot of headaches and a significant amount of money.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The birds, federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, have become yearly headaches for neighborhoods around the Metroplex as the birds flock to residential areas to nest.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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.—
Eric DuVall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
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Instead, investigators say the pair took the child across multiple international borders without the mother’s knowledge or court approval, a move now at the center of a federal international parental kidnapping case.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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Adopted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the treaty opened for signature in September 2023 and could safeguard marine ecosystems beyond national borders.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His approach is to look at what bothers that person the most.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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The political rhetoric aimed at ridiculing Canada bothers Johnson.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Why One Designer Loves Cornice Headboards Some designers absolutely love the look of a cornice headboard and the frills that come with it.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
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End with a low-key farewell dinner in 12South and live music at Station Inn — generally a cash-only cover charge and no frills, just great music.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffles. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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