as in angered
feeling or showing anger
our supervisor was rankled by all the unexpected delays and problems we ran into
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in raged
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
that kind of rude treatment from a young person makes me rankle
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in infuriated
to make angry
it rankles me when some schools can't even afford paper and pencils for the students
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rankled
Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
But some of the changes have rankled the House.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
The 49ers have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2005, a 21-year drought that has rankled the team’s supporters for years.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
The ease with which Chalamet turned over a new leaf rankled some observers, but the scent of Marty was not so easily washed away.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Nevertheless, the process and state of play have rankled some in the House, especially on the right.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2026
That gesture rankled when Handler discovered the extent of the issues at the house.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 11 Mar. 2026
The bill’s reemergence has rankled Republican lawmakers, who said new regulation on warehouses would target some of the state’s largest employers and insert the state into the employer-employee relationship.
—Ct Mirror, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
Privacy and personal property concerns, rankled egos, etc.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
But the tone of the new pictures also suggests a return to the Romanticism that rankled him in his youth, or at least a lighter, less conflicted touch.
—Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
But some of the changes have rankled the House.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
The 49ers have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2005, a 21-year drought that has rankled the team’s supporters for years.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
The ease with which Chalamet turned over a new leaf rankled some observers, but the scent of Marty was not so easily washed away.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Nevertheless, the process and state of play have rankled some in the House, especially on the right.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2026
That gesture rankled when Handler discovered the extent of the issues at the house.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 11 Mar. 2026
The bill’s reemergence has rankled Republican lawmakers, who said new regulation on warehouses would target some of the state’s largest employers and insert the state into the employer-employee relationship.
—Ct Mirror, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
Privacy and personal property concerns, rankled egos, etc.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankled
Adjective
-
Police said the two male juveniles became angered when the other three would not take them to buy marijuana.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Soon, the faces of the angered New York City citizens around her soften.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The conflict, which has raged on despite a truce brokered by the United States and Qatar, has sparked a huge humanitarian crisis, with at least 7 million people displaced.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
As the legal process raged on, Fortnite was not available on those app stores.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The decision infuriated local opponents, who have applauded selectmen’s decision in mid-March to authorize legal action to try to reverse the vote.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The liberal Democratic governor, whose strict gun control measures have long infuriated gun owners, this week filed a bill to allow Sunday hunting and expand crossbow hunting, long overdue moves that aimed to shore up one of her biggest weaknesses in an election year.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Shortly after administering the technical to an enraged Self, referee Doug Sirmons hit KU’s coach with another tech, ostensibly for remaining on the court instead of returning to the coach’s box.—
Gary Bedore
March 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Latinx people of conscience recognize our own tios, tias, primos, primas, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers in the brown faces being livestreamed with blood and agony pouring into enraged mouths asking for help.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Look for whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and words like steamed, baked, poached, roasted, broiled or grilled.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Young leaves and shoots can be used in foods such as salads, or steamed, pickled, or sautéed.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The platform’s staff has seemed minorly annoyed at the shots Denk and others at Beehiiv have taken as Substack has moved from disruptor to incumbent.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
One who grew up respectful but annoyed by the success the league previously had in Seattle.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The 72-year-old coach walked toward Staley in the final seconds of the game before the two had an angry exchange, with assistants having to get in between them.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
When you're stressed or angry, your cortisol levels rise, which can have adverse effects on your heart, metabolism, and immune system.—
Sharon Basaraba,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Paras Griffin / Getty Images Instead, investigators say the suspects stormed the studio, separated the victims and used firearms during the attack.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Angered when his ally Munim Khan was replaced by Shams-ud-din as vakil (prime minister), Adham Khan, who was already resentful after his recall from Malwa, stormed into the court with his supporters on May 16, 1562, and murdered Shams-ud-din in the audience hall.—
Tamanna Nangia,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rankled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankled. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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