galling

adjective

gall·​ing ˈgȯ-liŋ 

: markedly irritating : vexing

a most galling defeat

gallingly

ˈgȯ-liŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• abrasive
• aggravating
• annoying
• bothersome
• carking
• chafing
• disturbing
• exasperating
• frustrating
• irksome
• irritating
• maddening
• nettlesome
• nettling
• peeving
• pesky
• pestiferous
• pestilent
• pestilential
• pesty
• plaguey
• plaguy
• rankling
• rebarbative
• riling
• vexatious
• vexing

Examples of galling in a Sentence

This is a galling defeat.

her holier-than-thou attitude is galling

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, Swift’s performance became just a footnote on one of the most galling losses in franchise history — 18-15 on a final-play Hail Mary. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2024

This Week: ‘Abbott Elementary’ and ‘The Good Doctor’ In China, Deepfakes of ‘Russian’ Women Point to ‘Nationalistic Sexism’ Word of the Day: galling NYT Spelling Bee Answers for May 20, 2024 Today’s Wordle Answer for May 20, 2024 ¿Es mejor entrenar por la mañana o por la noche? —New York Times, 20 May 2024

Which brings us to the most galling mystery of the season: How on earth does this preening man-child get engaged? —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2024

This fiction will be galling to some people, but deeply reassuring to others. —Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of gall entry 2

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

galling

adjective

gall·​ing ˈgȯ-liŋ 

: very irritating : vexing