galling

adjective

gall·​ing ˈgȯ-liŋ How to pronounce galling (audio)
: markedly irritating : vexing
a most galling defeat
gallingly adverb

Examples of galling in a Sentence

This is a galling defeat. her holier-than-thou attitude is galling
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Perhaps most galling, the removal hearing — the only part of the process with an independent neutral overseer — might not be open to the public. Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 27 June 2025 This is a particularly galling development in fields like tax, where reference to technical standards can be a prerequisite for understanding the law—and integration into third party tools all but demanded by the realities of practice. Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 Initially, something about Too Much’s insistence on citing rom-coms in its episode titles while so stubbornly resisting romance felt galling to me. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 July 2025 At first idly, then with what appears to be solicitude, and finally with the glee of a cat cornering a mouse before killing it, Gustav pokes into Adi’s professional failures, connecting them to Tekla’s galling success. Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for galling

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of gall entry 2

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of galling was in 1583

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Galling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galling. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

galling

adjective
gall·​ing ˈgȯ-liŋ How to pronounce galling (audio)
: very irritating : vexing

More from Merriam-Webster on galling

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