rile

verb

ˈrī(-ə)l 

riled; riling

transitive verb

1

: to make agitated and angry : upset

2

: roil sense 1

Synonyms

• aggravate
• annoy
• bother
• bug
• burn (up)
• chafe
• eat
• exasperate
• frost
• gall
• get
• grate
• gripe
• hack (off)
• irk
• irritate
• itch
• nark [British]
• nettle
• peeve
• persecute
• pique
• put out
• rasp
• ruffle
• spite
• vex

Choose the Right Synonym for rile

irritate, exasperate, nettle, provoke, rile, peeve mean to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance.

irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

Examples of rile in a Sentence

Her comments riled the professor.

one sure way to rile me is to keep yelling for me

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to riling the MPAA, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’s lurid, controversial title would end up putting it directly into the crosshairs of the nation’s squeamish and easily offended critics. —Chris Nashawaty, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024

Recently, a ruling had viewers riled up over the mispronunciation of an answer. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2024

Trump is no stranger to riling musicians — his past campaigns got him on the bad side of the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, and even Adele. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024

Newspapers published scandals and rumors, riling mobs and sparking frequent attacks on editors – often by other editors. —Jon Grinspan, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

variant of roil

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rile

verb

ˈrī(ə)l 

riled; riling

1

: to make angry

2

: roil sense 1