rile

verb

ˈrī(-ə)l How to pronounce rile (audio)
Definition of rilenext
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

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 That’s because Kirk was beloved by so many gun owners, Martin said, and his death has riled them beyond the point where they could be suppressed. —Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025 What particularly riled Kiley this week was that Schiff didn’t stop there. —David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Like the Bull, Detective Williams gets riled up and sees red when pushed to the limit. —Lisa Stardust, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Some even waved their arms up and down in an attempt to rile up the crowd. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
  1. annoy
  2. infuriate
  3. irritate
  4. anger
  5. bother
  6. enrage
  7. persecute
  8. bug
Verb
  • According to Radar Online, one British royal family member who was especially annoyed at Camilla’s trip was Charles’ own sister, Princess Anne.
    — Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Still, Shannon is down in the dumps and annoyed by Tamra’s neediness to be forgiven for past sins.
    — Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • Slightly ironic for a man who in his time as the team’s GM this century has infuriated all parts of Cowboys nation.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The scale of the destruction shocked and infuriated Cutright, according to a different source familiar with the incident who did not want to be identified because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
    — Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • 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
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • The attack angered the Gulf nation, and left the only diplomatic track working to bring a ceasefire to Gaza in limbo.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Kimmel's comments on Monday night about the suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing angered the administration.
    — Clare Lombardo, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of anger
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
Definition of bother
Verb
  • That suggestion enraged Democrats.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Kate Jewett, argued that Gladney was the one who was enraged, and that the homicide was committed with an unregistered AR-15 likely manufactured by Gladney himself.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The decree eliminated many of the civil liberties in Germany, opening the way for the Nazis to persecute their opponents.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • Power gains are bugged to be too low for a new power grind that no one wants to do anyway.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • On average, the matador bugs increased their waving behavior seven times more in the presence of the predatory mantids.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of bug

Browse Nearby Words

rig (up)
rile
riled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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