rankling 1 of 2

adjective

as in irritating
causing annoyance for some air travelers, the most rankling aspect of the security measures seems to be the restrictions regarding carry-on baggage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rankling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of rankle
1
as in raging
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 angering
to make angry it rankles me when some schools can't even afford paper and pencils for the students

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of rankling
Verb
Matthew quickly schemes his way into Oliver’s orbit after that first performance, impressing and rankling the group of lackeys in his entourage at the same time. — Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025 The actress, producer and book club founder took to social media to speak out about leaning in to artificial intelligence, rankling some of her followers in the process. — Anika Reed, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026 But Johnson recalled how in 2024 Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed undocumented people to work at public universities, rankling activists. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026 But when Russia invaded Ukraine, South Africa repeatedly abstained from United Nations votes on the war—rankling officials in Washington. — Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2025 The Herald has learned Council President Liz Breadon visited councilors individually during the recess to ask them to push off the budget vote, rankling Weber, who had recommended a favorable vote take place at the day’s session. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankling
  1. irritating
  2. raging
  3. angering
  4. annoying
  5. steaming
  6. infuriating
  7. frustrating
  8. burning
Adjective
  • Few workplace behaviors are as small, common and irritating as the message that goes unanswered.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of irritating
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the jet stream — following the arc around the heat dome — is carrying wildfire smoke up north to Minnesota and the Upper Midwest from raging wildfires in Utah, Arizona and Colorado.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • That's the word from fire officials across the nation during the heart of fireworks season, and especially out west, where wildfires are raging.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of raging
Verb
  • Israel for years avoided officially recognizing the violence as genocide out fear of angering Turkey, but that relationship has soured over the past two decades, especially as the most recent wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have dragged on.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • For years, Israel never officially broached the subject for fear of angering Turkey, but that relationship has soured over the past two decades, especially as the most recent wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have dragged on.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
Definition of angering
Adjective
  • This is a realm of exposition-heavy opening credits, relentlessly earwormy theme tunes, and heroes who, for no obvious reason, choose to hang out with cute/annoying [delete as appropriate] comedy sidekicks like Orko and Snarf.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 5 July 2026
  • This would have evoked annoying memories of the 0-0 draw against Morocco in 2022 and 1-1 draw with Russia in 2018 for Spain.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of annoying
Verb
  • Reduce heat to low and cook (milk should be steaming or just barely simmering around edges of pan) 10 minutes.
    — Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • Marylanders settled back for a steaming celebration of America’s 194th birthday today.
    — Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026
Definition of steaming
Verb
  • The result can be a more consistent connection, fewer interruptions and less of that infuriating mid-episode quality drop.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Adding secondary maturations into the bourbon lineup is likely going to divide longtime Four Roses fans, delighting some and infuriating others.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 June 2026
Definition of infuriating
Adjective
  • Two months after another frustrating playoff finish, the 76ers now look ahead with a reasonable expectation to be among the conference favorites next season.
    — Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Residents said the latest delay is especially frustrating because the pool also remained closed for much of last summer after a water line ruptured while it was being filled.
    — Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of frustrating
Verb
  • The smoke from the burning vehicles contained hazardous materials commonly found in automobiles, including fuels, oils and interior components, Nunez said, although steady winds helped disperse the smoke.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
  • According to Graser, one of the victims had called from inside the burning building, pleading for help.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of burning

Browse Nearby Words

rankles
rankling
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Cite this Entry

“Rankling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rankling

Nglish: Translation of rankling for Spanish Speakers

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