1
2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rile different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rile are exasperate, irritate, nettle, peeve, and provoke. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

When would exasperate be a good substitute for rile?

In some situations, the words exasperate and rile are roughly equivalent. However, exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When is it sensible to use irritate instead of rile?

Although the words irritate and rile have much in common, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When is nettle a more appropriate choice than rile?

The words nettle and rile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When can peeve be used instead of rile?

While the synonyms peeve and rile are close in meaning, peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

When could provoke be used to replace rile?

The synonyms provoke and rile are sometimes interchangeable, but provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rile Following the shocking news that Amazon MGM Studios has taken full creative control of the 007 franchise, Bezos riled up the fandom on X by asking his 6.8 million followers for their thoughts on who should succeed Daniel Craig as the world’s most famous movie secret agent. Zack Sharf, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025 Emery was riled by suggestions Villa’s structure suffered in the second half. Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025 The 2025 Grammy Awards were filled with moments almost guaranteed to get MAGA nation riled up, as artists used their platforms to speak up about trans rights, health care, immigration, and DEI initiatives. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2025 The generally tame statement was still enough to rile up the likes of Megyn Kelly, who used it as another opportunity to stoke the right-wing backlash to the film. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
Verb
  • Seiders, 44, is charged with felony child pornography possession, misdemeanor annoying a child under 18, concealing a camera with intent to invade privacy and attempting to conceal a camera.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • What annoyed me was good old-fashioned stupid gameplay.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Image On the left, the governor’s decision to engage with Mr. Kirk has infuriated Mr. Newsom’s allies.
    Laurel Rosenhall, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • For many out-of-network doctors, payments lower than their invoices are an infuriating part of doing business.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The second walk irritated the pitcher, as home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman’s ball four call on a 3-2 count appeared incorrect.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • If not properly diluted, vinegar's acidity can irritate your throat or erode tooth enamel over time.
    Johna Burdeos, Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This week, President Donald Trump froze $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard University, angering members of the Elbow Patch Mafia around America.
    Christian Schneider, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
  • That meeting angered Israeli officials, and reportedly Dermer in particular.
    Alex Marquardt, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2025
  • So much so that Gillaspie didn’t bother to even grab a towel last summer when a pitching coach yelled into the visiting showers to alert him that Triple-A El Paso manager Pete Zamora needed to see him.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rick is enraged, and finds Jim happily taking a photograph with his wife, Sritala (Lek Patravadi), and the three galpals on vacation.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • This enrages Robby, who, remember, just watched a whole bunch of people, including his surrogate son’s teenage girlfriend, needlessly die.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sold to the public as increasing transparency, the legislation has been utilized to persecute Georgia’s opposition and arrest dissidents with impunity.
    Anastasiya Zavyalova, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Again, none of these Beautiful People ever thought of assisting Americans who were being persecuted by the Deep State these last few years before Jan. 20.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Aaron Boone said Bellinger’s back started bugging him during Thursday’s game against the Diamondbacks.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Ralph Macchio on the one thing that still bugs him about Karate Kid Part II My Cousin Vinny tells the story of three bombastic Italian-Americans caught up in an over-the-top legal drama.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!