roil

verb

ˈrȯi(-ə)l 

 transitive sense 2 is also  ˈrī(-ə)l

roiled; roiling; roils

transitive verb

1

a

: to make turbid by stirring up the sediment or dregs of

b

: to stir up : disturb, disorder

2

: rile sense 1

intransitive verb

: to move turbulently : be in a state of turbulence or agitation

conflicting emotions roiling inside her

Synonyms

• boil
• churn
• moil
• seethe

Examples of roil in a Sentence

Financial markets have been roiled by the banking crisis.

the waters of the gulf tossed and roiled as the hurricane surged toward the shore

Recent Examples on the Web

Polls in 2024 show a close contest that – as with Trump's two previous presidential races – has been roiled by Trump's rallies, including the very last week. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

And North Korea’s increasingly bellicose attitude toward its neighbors has roiled China’s diplomatic and economic relations with South Korea and Japan. —Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024

Protests over the ongoing war in Gaza roiled college campuses this election season and, amid the blowback, the Biden-Harris administration has netted criticism from young voters over its handling of the crisis. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Middle East conflict still roils energy markets, just not as much Prices surged briefly this month after Iran sent missiles into Israel, but many experts see the Israeli response over the weekend as measured, potentially ending a cycle of retaliatory strikes from each side, at least for now. —Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

roil

verb

ˈrȯi(ə)l 

 sense 2 is also  ˈrī(ə)l

1

: to make cloudy or muddy by stirring up

roil the water of a brook

2

: to rouse the anger of