as in annoyed
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
the stream of minor complaints finally ruffled him into snapping, "If you don't like the way I'm doing it, do it yourself!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 ruffled
The sweet morning air had yet to succumb to the heat of the day, and a slight breeze ruffled the trees.
—
Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Trent Dilfer accumulated much talent, won numerous games and ruffled many feathers in his first stint as head football coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Cher, the iconic singer and actress, may have ruffled a few feathers among fans of Michigan couple Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell by telling the couple Bell deserves better than her longtime partner.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The music video looks almost like a period piece, with other members of the cast sporting powdered wigs, ruffled white collars and other white pieces to accent their outfits.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruffled
Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Trent Dilfer accumulated much talent, won numerous games and ruffled many feathers in his first stint as head football coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Cher, the iconic singer and actress, may have ruffled a few feathers among fans of Michigan couple Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell by telling the couple Bell deserves better than her longtime partner.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The music video looks almost like a period piece, with other members of the cast sporting powdered wigs, ruffled white collars and other white pieces to accent their outfits.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruffled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffled
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
-
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
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
-
Instead, Ladinig says Pierre Haobsh bugged Henry Han's computer with a spyware app called a keylogger.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Feeling good Weathers has been bugged by several injuries over the last few years.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Secret Agent’s primary setting is a house full of misfits and refugees in the northeastern city of Recife, a safe harbor from those persecuted by the country’s military regime, ruled over by the inimitable Dona Sebastiana (Tânia Maria, whose role was written specifically for her).—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Trump has promised to help rescue the country’s persecuted protesters as thousands died.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffled. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
