1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
one sure way to rile me is to keep yelling for me
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to infuriate
to make angry
her husband isn't easily riled, but once he is, he stays that way for days
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rile
Every time one of those comments riles you up, pull up a photo album from a recent trip and remind yourself that some people just talk about plans (or type about them), and some people do them.
—
R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
This description riled up many of those who prefer to view Trump as a cartoon villain (the kind who twirls his mustache while plotting global domination).
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
In the early days of his presidency, Lai carefully avoided riling Beijing unnecessarily.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
The second baseman claimed that Bacon said some things that ultimately riled him up, but Chisholm declined to elaborate.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rile
R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
This description riled up many of those who prefer to view Trump as a cartoon villain (the kind who twirls his mustache while plotting global domination).
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
In the early days of his presidency, Lai carefully avoided riling Beijing unnecessarily.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
The second baseman claimed that Bacon said some things that ultimately riled him up, but Chisholm declined to elaborate.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
Verb
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The comedy as a second-class sibling to the drama is a notion that has annoyed the people who make television comedies for years.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
7 June 2025
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In some cases, that will be obvious: You’ll get annoyed by weird or loud noises and odors, notice your energy bill has skyrocketed, or spot signs of a leak.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Every child should be wanted for their own wonderful, infuriating, adorable self, just as every family should be supported by any government that wants to see this country flourish.—
Mary McNamara,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
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The wait has been infuriating, stretching the boundaries of trust and raising serious questions about what happened to millions of dollars raised toward the ostensible goal of creating a suitable tribute.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump initially tapped to co-lead DOGE, pushed for an expansion of the program as way to attract global talent, irritating immigration hawks in the conservative movement.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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Use Insect Repellent to Avoid Bug Bites Stinging, biting, and otherwise irritating bugs are prevalent in summer.—
Sarah Richards,
Verywell Health,
3 June 2025
Verb
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The presence was much larger than when officials detained an immigrant last week and appeared to be a continuation of the new and controversial practice that has troubled attorneys, angered activists and increased fears for immigrants.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2025
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Read more: Vikings' Reason For Passing on Aaron Rodgers Revealed: Report Keeping that in mind, a new prediction has been made for the Vikings that will anger the fan base.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Understandably, the online narrative bothered the director as well.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
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This is an arrangement that bothers Kagi's founder.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Still, from February 27th to March 19th, Guild did not receive therapy because an extension of his treatments needed to be approved by the V.A. Morgan watched, enraged, as Collins defended the V.A. cuts.—
David W. Brown,
New Yorker,
12 June 2025
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The Haredim’s widespread refusal to serve, and threats to topple the government during wartime, have enraged many Israelis, especially those who have served multiple rounds of reserve duty.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2025
Verb
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In 1968 a Jewish Dutch woman named Selma Vos was persecuted to death along with her husband, Cao Richang, an eminent psychologist who had helped found the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.—
Nan Z. Da
June 10,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2025
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Abrego Garcia was subject to a 2019 withholding order by a judge forbidding his removal to El Salvador because of concerns he would be persecuted there.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Say your mother kept bugging you to change a bad habit.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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Next season is when all the little things start to bug me.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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