as in angry
feeling or showing anger
the woman was obviously riled, as she kept throwing things
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in annoyed
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in infuriated
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
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 riled
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Foster himself is carefully presented in all the customary ways for this kind of quiet-cool, deadly-when-riled hero.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
They’re aided by a small team of assistants who double as dogsitters when Siwa’s poodle Clyde gets too riled up in the dance studio — he’s been known to nip the ankles of men.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2026
But the long and short of the real science behind size suggests that men themselves are more likely than women to get riled up about the subject.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
While video replay showed Elliss’ hit was clean (and legal), the optics of Dart being jettisoned a few yards into his own sideline riled up several Giants players, including second-year tight end Theo Johnson, who immediately went after Elliss.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Zac and Dylan have a reputation for getting fans riled up with their shirtless photos.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
But on Sunday, voters will go to the polls to vote on an inheritance tax that has riled them up.
—Carolin Roth, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025
Earlier this year, the conservative commentator got riled up about the news that Netflix would be rebooting Little House on the Prairie.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Nov. 2025
My book has riled up a lot of Christians.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
The locals, especially seniors and year-round residents, are riled up.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The more people tell them to pipe down, the more riled up Kizzi and Joe get.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Foster himself is carefully presented in all the customary ways for this kind of quiet-cool, deadly-when-riled hero.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
They’re aided by a small team of assistants who double as dogsitters when Siwa’s poodle Clyde gets too riled up in the dance studio — he’s been known to nip the ankles of men.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Joe was already riled up from being rejected by Nathan, who decided to go to Australia to be with Gael rather than to Liverpool with Joe after the season.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2026
But the long and short of the real science behind size suggests that men themselves are more likely than women to get riled up about the subject.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
While video replay showed Elliss’ hit was clean (and legal), the optics of Dart being jettisoned a few yards into his own sideline riled up several Giants players, including second-year tight end Theo Johnson, who immediately went after Elliss.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Zac and Dylan have a reputation for getting fans riled up with their shirtless photos.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
But on Sunday, voters will go to the polls to vote on an inheritance tax that has riled them up.
—Carolin Roth, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025
Earlier this year, the conservative commentator got riled up about the news that Netflix would be rebooting Little House on the Prairie.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Nov. 2025
My book has riled up a lot of Christians.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
The locals, especially seniors and year-round residents, are riled up.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riled
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, members of Congress are likely to face some angry, dissatisfied voters — with the year’s first major primary day fast approaching on March 3.—
Marissa Martinez,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But the attempt at humor didn’t satisfy some angry fans who believe Mets President David Stearns swindled Getz in a trade that essentially was a salary dump.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As frustrating Saturn arrives in your 3rd House of Communication, you might be annoyed that others seem to misread you.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Betts gazed back with angst, momentarily annoyed with her coach.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The criminal investigation, which Powell announced this month, shocked and infuriated senators, both Republican and Democratic.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
-
That decision reportedly infuriated Bondi, who has since taken matters into her own hands.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
However, her direct and outspoken approach has also led to controversy, with enraged officials in Honduras once wanting to declare her persona non grata.—
Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
And why did that treatment — at least initially — leave Zverev so enraged?—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Something that bothered Rick was confidence or anything that whiffed of overt masculinity.—
Margy Rochlin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But Watson hasn’t been bothered by the challenge of taking on older players.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
However, Albanese’s decision to invite Herzog – the head of state of a country accused of genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel’s government denies – has angered many Australians and even led to calls for the visitor’s arrest.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The ruling has angered victims’ families and reignited a public debate over whether someone who commits a crime as serious as murder as a teenager should ever be eligible for release.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Donald would be outraged, not pleased.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Of course any right-thinking person is offended and outraged.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For a long time your political cartoons published in the editorial pages have irritated me.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The song, which reclaims a derogatory term for Venezuelan female migrants, was interpreted as defiant and irritated the Venezuelan president, then facing widespread reports of electoral fraud.—
Leonor C. Suárez,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riled. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
