1
as in frustrating
causing annoyance
her holier-than-thou attitude is galling
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
losing in the last round of play-offs was galling to our home team
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in eroding
to damage or diminish by continued friction
move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in annoying
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
humming through your nose like that absolutely galls me
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in irritating
to make sore by continued rubbing
tie your shoes so they don't gall your heels sliding on and off like that
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of galling
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 July 2025
This is a particularly galling development in fields like tax, where reference to technical standards can be a prerequisite for understanding the law—and integration into third party tools all but demanded by the realities of practice.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Sam Blum, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
The indignity of it is galling.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for galling
Adjective
Initially, something about Too Much’s insistence on citing rom-coms in its episode titles while so stubbornly resisting romance felt galling to me.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 July 2025
This is a particularly galling development in fields like tax, where reference to technical standards can be a prerequisite for understanding the law—and integration into third party tools all but demanded by the realities of practice.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
Since then, the Delta Devils have lost a galling 190 such games in a row.
—Sam Blum, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
The indignity of it is galling.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for galling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for galling
Adjective
-
Her list continues with small but frustrating oversights.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
But an early lead slipped away by halftime — and eventually turned into a frustrating 2-1 loss for Sporting at Children’s Mercy Park.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Now supposedly dying from some terminal illness, Julian has gone total hermit mode inside of his cluttered London apartment, where the walls are festooned with the relics of his success and the backrooms are a junk pile of painful memories.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Dig a little deeper by comparing your top three financial goals and sharing your most painful and joyous money memories.—
Mary Clements Evans,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Scatturice Network Expands While the economy provides the backdrop, multiple corruption cases continue eroding the Milei administration's credibility.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
As Robert Putnam documented in Bowling Alone, the churches, neighborhood associations, and bowling leagues that once anchored American communities have steadily lost members and influence, eroding civic life and our trust in one another.—
Todd Rogers,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Sounders’ defenders swarmed Messi from the first minute, and midfielder Obed Vargas was particularly physical, annoying the Argentine icon time and again.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
-
In fairness, Arsenal seemed to be annoying Liverpool for much of the first hour.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, Agnes is dressed exactly like Wednesday and her Single White Female act is irritating the hell out of her hero.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Pesky skeeters are irritating Lake County residents as the number of insects carrying the worrisome West Nile Virus climbs.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
That's depicted in a disturbing, if somewhat inscrutable, scene.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Possibly, something disturbing will occur because someone has decided to make emotional demands on you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The once-beloved pastels will become harsh.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The pilgrimage, listed on the official calendar of jubilee events, comes as gay Catholics look to Pope Leo XIV to continue down the bold path of his predecessor to welcome into the church a group that has in the past faced alienation and sometimes harsh treatment.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The friends were both wearing some form of American flag on their outfits and were visiting from Syracuse, New York.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The style is perfect for wearing into the cooler months, as it can easily be layered over cozy knits.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Galling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/galling. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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