1
as in hostility
a deep-seated ill will
her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
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2
as in nerve
shameless boldness
I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
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2
as in to bother
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
humming through your nose like that absolutely galls me
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gall
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
Michigan had dropped four of its last six games, but mustered enough trickery and belief to keep pace that day and finally, enough gall to try a 2-point conversion that could clinch the game.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2025
Russia’s and China’s inability to provide their Iranian ally with any practical backing during the war stands in stark contrast to the U.S. and Israel and is particularly galling for Iran because of its strong support for the Kremlin during Russia’s war in Ukraine.
—Chuck Freilich, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gall
Noun
Sprays aren't generally effective because the mites are protected and hidden in leaf folds or galls.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
Michigan had dropped four of its last six games, but mustered enough trickery and belief to keep pace that day and finally, enough gall to try a 2-point conversion that could clinch the game.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
That's more than a bit galling in a monitor that costs two to four times as much as flat 2D displays with similar specs.
—Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2025
Russia’s and China’s inability to provide their Iranian ally with any practical backing during the war stands in stark contrast to the U.S. and Israel and is particularly galling for Iran because of its strong support for the Kremlin during Russia’s war in Ukraine.
—Chuck Freilich, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gall
Noun
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The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to preserve its independence at any cost, stand on its own feet, and firmly resist the excessive demands, aggression, and acts of hostility by foreign powers—including the United States and the Zionist regime.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The message refers to the conflict in Gaza and calls for an end to hostilities.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Kimmie is forced to watch uncomfortably from the sideline, but Williams knew exactly how to calm her character’s nerves.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Anderson’s willingness to touch such a raw nerve is astonishing.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
So…are the long-wearing claims actually true?—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
19 Sep. 2025
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The Body After detectives discovered Rivas’ body, a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner described her as a female with wavy black hair wearing a tube top and black leggings, size small, as well as yellow metal-stud earrings and a yellow metal-chain bracelet.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This takes two seconds, and she doesn’t get bothered at all.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Polarity numbs himself with alcohol and can’t be bothered with God U’s suspicious new Dean, aptly named Cipher (Hamish Linklater).—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Generally, mineral sunscreens are beloved by dermatologists for not irritating sensitive skin, the way chemical sunscreens can.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Too many or poorly timed nudges irritate users.—
Prithvi Singh Shergill,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Darkly funny and deeply melancholic, the film turns the family estate into a pressure cooker of grief, grudges and reluctant affection.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
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After Abe’s assassination in 2022 by a suspect who said he was motivated by a grudge against the church, an internal survey in the LDP later found that nearly half of the party’s members had links to it.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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All of these terms are used interchangeably to refer to projecting quiet confidence without arrogance.—
Melody Wilding,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The Democratic Party is in shambles because it has become consumed by leadership that wants to have cerebral debates over abstract concepts, and the Republican Party brand, vis-à-vis its own leadership, fails to appeal to greater masses because of its fascination with uninformed arrogance.—
Fabian Naranjo Gonzalez,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For capital-intensive industries, that volatility erodes the policy stability required for long-term investment, adding another layer of uncertainty to already fragile markets.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But the brand’s relationship with Unilever eroded over the years.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gall. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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