1
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
that kind of rude treatment from a young person makes me rankle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to infuriate
to make angry
it rankles me when some schools can't even afford paper and pencils for the students
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rankle
Dobson's unflinching conservatism rankled some Republican leaders at the height of his influence.
—
Jason Derose, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
President Donald Trump’s flirtation with the idea of the federal government acquiring a 10% stake in the United States computer design and manufacturing company Intel has rankled conservatives.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2025
Environmental groups, others long oppose SpaceX rocket launches That aggressive approach, though, has rankled environmentalists and others who have criticized SpaceX's operations for potentially decimating regional ecosystems.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Having to spend three hours being poked and prodded and prevented from making phone calls rankled; Diamandis is an incorrigible multitasker.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rankle
Jason Derose, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
President Donald Trump’s flirtation with the idea of the federal government acquiring a 10% stake in the United States computer design and manufacturing company Intel has rankled conservatives.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2025
Environmental groups, others long oppose SpaceX rocket launches That aggressive approach, though, has rankled environmentalists and others who have criticized SpaceX's operations for potentially decimating regional ecosystems.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Having to spend three hours being poked and prodded and prevented from making phone calls rankled; Diamandis is an incorrigible multitasker.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rankle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankle
Verb
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Needless to say, fans are steaming.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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At the other end, the Premier League is steaming beyond its peers; a super league in all but name.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The lawsuit said that groundswell of support infuriated Bove, who was portrayed in one video as the Batman villain Bane, while Driscoll was depicted as Batman.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
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Anyone infuriated about the failure to adequately address climate change and the shortcomings in national emergency preparedness will find plenty here to stoke their anger.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From excellence and respectability to rage and raunch to the abstract and avant-garde.—
Lauren Morrow
September 9,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
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Maybe this works fine — until that kid leaves home to go to college or work and ends up in an urgent care in the middle of the night with raging flu symptoms or a broken wrist.—
Dr. Jill Grimes,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, sharp spending cuts have angered many, while corruption allegations against senior officials have dented his party’s odds ahead of next month’s vote, which could determine the future of Milei’s presidency.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Lawyers at Walsh Gallegos coordinated two releases of emails and other documents on behalf of the school board, but CNN reported how gaping holes remained, surprising and angering board members.—
Shimon Prokupecz,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The wildfire has been burning on private land.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The Jets also failed twice to convert on two-point conversions, once in the first half (Braelon Allen was stuffed) and again in the fourth quarter — after needlessly burning a timeout, Fields forced a throw to Wilson, surrounded by three defensive backs, in the back right corner of the end zone.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Never mind that the Jets’ rookie coach, Aaron Glenn, had enraged him by cutting him loose.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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And whether the Carolina Panthers are just stuck in an endless loop of embarrassment, one that alternately humiliates and enrages their fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Humans could be easily killed by radiation exposure, and the lack of atmospheric pressure on Mars or in orbit would cause a person’s blood to boil if they were exposed.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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Take your time and make sure to boil and simmer as directed.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Comments about my fast walk annoy me.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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Keanu, still annoyed from the veto ceremony, talked to Ava Pearl in the HOH room and called Rachel a liar.—
David Wysong,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rankle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankle. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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