as in bothering
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!"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruffling
The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization quickly followed suit, shelving the project that had been in the works for over a decade and ruffling feathers at the state level and among business leaders.
—
Nicholas Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
At times, Musk’s avoidance tactics shut down lines of questioning, ruffling Savitt’s feathers.
—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Below, during a conversation with THR, Cronin also discusses his unique ability to deliver gore without ruffling the MPA’s feathers.
—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
When the weather is warm, the best tables are those in the meditative interior courtyard open to blue sky, drifting clouds and the breeze ruffling sudare screens.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
But the second set featured the sport’s ultimate heel ruffling feathers once again, when Medvedev won a point on a controversial hindrance call.
—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Her jokes were tight and sharp, and pushed the envelope just enough to be funny without truly ruffling any feathers.
—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
11 Jan. 2026
The bricks under my fingers, a breeze ruffling my hair.
—
CBS News,
28 Dec. 2025
The critique appears to have drawn support from most viewers, even if ruffling the feathers of others.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Nov. 2025
Nicholas Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
At times, Musk’s avoidance tactics shut down lines of questioning, ruffling Savitt’s feathers.
—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Below, during a conversation with THR, Cronin also discusses his unique ability to deliver gore without ruffling the MPA’s feathers.
—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
When the weather is warm, the best tables are those in the meditative interior courtyard open to blue sky, drifting clouds and the breeze ruffling sudare screens.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
But the second set featured the sport’s ultimate heel ruffling feathers once again, when Medvedev won a point on a controversial hindrance call.
—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Her jokes were tight and sharp, and pushed the envelope just enough to be funny without truly ruffling any feathers.
—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
11 Jan. 2026
The bricks under my fingers, a breeze ruffling my hair.
—
CBS News,
28 Dec. 2025
The critique appears to have drawn support from most viewers, even if ruffling the feathers of others.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffling
Verb
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That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
-
The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Verb
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Weird; annoying even – but the floaters did not seem urgent.
-
My biggest concern about adding a tracking device around Mya’s neck was annoying her or creating disruption.
Verb
-
The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
-
His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
Verb
-
Unanswered workplace messages are a common, irritating phenomenon, often perceived as deliberate avoidance despite recipients being active elsewhere.
-
Morales turns another character who can be irritating into one whose lot, and whose needs, demands attention.
Verb
-
Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponent, while also persecuting many other innocent people.
-
Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.
Verb
-
Farmer, who had a right forearm strain, went 2-for-20 with a home run at Columbus while getting reps at catcher.
-
Reaching such a stage would be the third World Cup final in succession for France, after getting their hands on the trophy in 2018 and losing to Argentina last time around.
Verb
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The fans who decide to follow their country to a glorious or bitter end, irrespective of the cost or the risk of aggravating employers?
-
On direct appeal, the Florida Supreme Court vacated the death sentence and remanded the case for reconsideration over the trial court's handling of aggravating and mitigating factors in the case.
Cite this Entry
“Ruffling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffling. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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