1
as in swirling
to be in a state of violent rolling motion
the waters of the gulf tossed and roiled as the hurricane surged toward the shore
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in angering
to make angry
the clerk's brusque refusal of her request roiled her enough to prompt a complaint to his supervisor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of roiling
Enveloped in all this optical dazzlement, and cutting across the frame with their bold, frontal gazes, the women are the very embodiment of dignity and power, mirrors of the independence roiling at the heart of the nation.
—
Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
The fight between Comulate and Applied reflects larger dynamics roiling the software industry as AI agents and vibe coding tools, led by AI developer Anthropic, threaten to take market share from software incumbents.
—John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Cost-of-living concerns, after all, are also roiling France, Germany, Canada, and Britain.
—Jamie Holmes, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
Tamma, who is gay, is a roiling stew of adolescent emotions further fueled by physical abuse suffered in childhood at her father’s hands and by the neglect and disdain dumped on her by her mother.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
But the appearance of planetary nebulas has little to do with planets at all—these nebulas are actually roiling clouds of hot gas that emanate from dying sunlike stars and linger after their deaths.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
Videos of the fatal shooting have spread rapidly online in recent days, roiling the political landscape and prompting protests in Kansas City, Minneapolis and across the country.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2026
Activist Charlie Kirk was shot to death while speaking at Utah Valley University in September, roiling the conservative movement.
—Caroline Linton, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Simultaneously, at the federal level, HHS — the backstop for states in situations of crisis — is roiling.
—Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
The fight between Comulate and Applied reflects larger dynamics roiling the software industry as AI agents and vibe coding tools, led by AI developer Anthropic, threaten to take market share from software incumbents.
—John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Cost-of-living concerns, after all, are also roiling France, Germany, Canada, and Britain.
—Jamie Holmes, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
Tamma, who is gay, is a roiling stew of adolescent emotions further fueled by physical abuse suffered in childhood at her father’s hands and by the neglect and disdain dumped on her by her mother.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
But the appearance of planetary nebulas has little to do with planets at all—these nebulas are actually roiling clouds of hot gas that emanate from dying sunlike stars and linger after their deaths.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
Videos of the fatal shooting have spread rapidly online in recent days, roiling the political landscape and prompting protests in Kansas City, Minneapolis and across the country.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2026
Activist Charlie Kirk was shot to death while speaking at Utah Valley University in September, roiling the conservative movement.
—Caroline Linton, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Simultaneously, at the federal level, HHS — the backstop for states in situations of crisis — is roiling.
—Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roiling
Verb
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Gas and dust swirling around a black hole block visible light, but infrared light can punch right through.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Even so, rumors have begun swirling that the rapper has gotten back together with his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Berlingeri.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But when the new terminal opened, the historic plane did not make the move, angering aviation enthusiasts.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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What’s more, all that accomplishes is annoying and angering the driver who is being tailgated.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That is always wonderful, to hear a crowd sing a band’s songs back to them, and it was especially appreciated in this instance as the vocals were a little lost in the churning maelstrom of rock coming from the stage.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Out on the sidewalk and behind barriers, lookie-loos crane their necks for a peek at the competitors, while pin traders mill through the churning crowd in hopes of making a souvenir swap.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Seeing Sparkle cry about Landfair’s experience — something that Landfair hadn’t fully come to terms with — was discombobulating and infuriating.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
-
With the $5 million secured by Felix (and a promise that the winnings can still be returned to the Treasury), Bond reenters the tournament and wins the final round, infuriating Le Chiffre.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Aim for just before boiling (195 to 205°F) for French press coffee.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
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Therefore, boiling potassium-rich foods may reduce their nutrient content.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Talking about a movie, good or bad, is free marketing, and Fennell seems to understand better than most that enraging potential ticket-holders is a promotional strategy.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
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Hulu This startling three-part docuseries tells the unfortunate, enraging story of Larry Ray.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For most people, action, cultivating a sense of agency, beats seething.—
Wendy Nelson Espeland,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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All three fixtures are away, which provides an element of respite and protection for Hurzeler from the seething discontent on home soil.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Further inflaming the issue this week was images of Liam Ramos, a 5-year-old boy who was detained by ICE agents along with his father in Minnesota, prompting strong pushback from local officials.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
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On top of that, Sybil receives a terminal breast cancer diagnosis, further inflaming tensions throughout the house over the holidays.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roiling. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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