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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rile different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rile are exasperate, irritate, nettle, peeve, and provoke. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

When would exasperate be a good substitute for rile?

In some situations, the words exasperate and rile are roughly equivalent. However, exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When is it sensible to use irritate instead of rile?

Although the words irritate and rile have much in common, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When is nettle a more appropriate choice than rile?

The words nettle and rile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When can peeve be used instead of rile?

While the synonyms peeve and rile are close in meaning, peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

When could provoke be used to replace rile?

The synonyms provoke and rile are sometimes interchangeable, but provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

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 rile Following the shocking news that Amazon MGM Studios has taken full creative control of the 007 franchise, Bezos riled up the fandom on X by asking his 6.8 million followers for their thoughts on who should succeed Daniel Craig as the world’s most famous movie secret agent. Zack Sharf, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025 Emery was riled by suggestions Villa’s structure suffered in the second half. Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025 The 2025 Grammy Awards were filled with moments almost guaranteed to get MAGA nation riled up, as artists used their platforms to speak up about trans rights, health care, immigration, and DEI initiatives. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2025 The generally tame statement was still enough to rile up the likes of Megyn Kelly, who used it as another opportunity to stoke the right-wing backlash to the film. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
Verb
  • Seiders, 44, is charged with felony child pornography possession, misdemeanor annoying a child under 18, concealing a camera with intent to invade privacy and attempting to conceal a camera.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • What annoyed me was good old-fashioned stupid gameplay.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The effort has infuriated critics in a city that has pioneered harm reduction.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Season 5 had it all: romances, redemption arcs, infuriating men, explosive fights, and two of the show’s biggest stars, Molly-Mae Hague and Maura Higgins.
    Lindsey Lanquist, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This can be particularly irritating to eczema-prone skin.
    Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Pairing some active ingredients can irritate the skin, and other combinations may reduce the effectiveness of the ingredients.1 1.
    Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump's actions angered Canadians and stoked a surge in nationalism, helping the Liberals to flip the narrative and win a fourth straight term in power.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Along with safety, downtown residents say green space has been one of the top concerns of the almost 100,000 people who live there, so the attack on some of the area’s few trees particularly angered people.
    Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2025
  • So much so that Gillaspie didn’t bother to even grab a towel last summer when a pitching coach yelled into the visiting showers to alert him that Triple-A El Paso manager Pete Zamora needed to see him.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Warren was beloved by the Cherry Grove community — by then, the Pines’s more bohemian counterpart — and her rejection enraged many, including Thom Hansen, who performed in drag as Panzi.
    Elyssa Goodman, Them., 25 Apr. 2025
  • In the TikTok video that enraged so many of these men, the gimmick is that the executives are participating in a girly TikTok trend within the confines of their office.
    Constance Grady, Vox, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In a video posted to his Truth Social platform in December 2023, Trump accused the FBI and DOJ of sending undercover spies to churches to persecute people of faith.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The statement concluded with an expression of solidarity with Christians who are persecuted.
    Chloe Breyer, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Curry is 37 and played Sunday with his right thumb wrapped in athletic tape, nursing an ailment that has bugged him all season.
    Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • And for me, nothing bugs me more than engaging in social activities to check the box rather than making meaningful connections.
    Time, Time, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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