Synonyms of ruffling

ruffling

verb

present participle of ruffle

as in bothering

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

• bothering
• annoying
• bugging
• irritating
• persecuting
• getting
• aggravating
• nettling
• riling
• eating
• irking
• angering
• teasing
• exasperating
• worrying
• itching
• spiting
• griping
• rasping
• chafing
• infuriating
• frosting
• burning (up)
• grating
• vexing
• provoking
• galling
• piquing
• narking
• getting to
• insulting
• wearing on
• peeving
• hacking (off)
• plaguing
• putting out
• harassing
• offending
• upsetting
• sticking in one's craw
• hassling
• getting on one's nerves
• rubbing the wrong way
• setting one's teeth on edge
• enraging
• rousing
• getting one's goat
• antagonizing
• nagging
• heckling
• badgering
• pestering
• agitating
• inflaming
• distressing
• rankling
• harrying
• roiling
• unsettling
• perturbing
• outraging
• incensing
• baiting
• fretting
• undoing
• maddening
• disquieting
• affronting
• discomforting
• exercising
• bullyragging
• unhinging
• deviling
• hagriding
• discomposing
• freaking (out)
• miffing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obliging
• placating
• appeasing
• pacifying
• conciliating
• gratifying
• pleasing
• satisfying
• mollifying
• delighting
• assuring
• reassuring
• cheering
• propitiating
• comforting
• soothing
• quieting
• consoling
• contenting
• gladdening
• solacing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ruffling

Mayor Dean Trantalis, Commissioner Steven Glassman and Commissioner John Herbst took issue with her leadership, accusing her of being dismissive to subordinates and ruffling too many feathers. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization quickly followed suit, shelving the project that had been in the works for over a decade and ruffling feathers at the state level and among business leaders. — Nicholas Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026

At times, Musk’s avoidance tactics shut down lines of questioning, ruffling Savitt’s feathers. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026

Below, during a conversation with THR, Cronin also discusses his unique ability to deliver gore without ruffling the MPA’s feathers. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2026

When the weather is warm, the best tables are those in the meditative interior courtyard open to blue sky, drifting clouds and the breeze ruffling sudare screens. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026

But the second set featured the sport’s ultimate heel ruffling feathers once again, when Medvedev won a point on a controversial hindrance call. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Her jokes were tight and sharp, and pushed the envelope just enough to be funny without truly ruffling any feathers. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 11 Jan. 2026

The bricks under my fingers, a breeze ruffling my hair. — CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025