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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 The claim has riled financial markets, with Nvidia’s share price dropping over 12 percent in pre-market trading. Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 27 Jan. 2025 Chase isn’t riled by the incident, merely annoyed by Gary. Emma Soren, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025 The move has already riled many Western lawmakers, who have long petitioned the USFWS to delist their grizzly bear populations and return the species’ management to the states. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Jan. 2025 Trump’s decision to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, two former Democrats, riled some Republicans. Ian Prasad Philbrick, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
Verb
  • There was nothing quite like watching Ted win the hearts of everyone around him, from the woman who literally set him up to fail, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) to the ready-to-retire and always annoyed Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein).
    EW.com, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025
  • He's heard perhaps the university chancellor at the time of the formula's creation annoyed the wrong person, and UW-Whitewater has been shorted ever since.
    Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • On Saturday, Hamas filmed two hostages who were forced to watch the release of others, turning to a camera and begging to be released, in yet another public spectacle that infuriated Israel.
    Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
  • And what answers can Howe belatedly unearth to arrest Newcastle’s infuriating inconsistency?
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Thankfully, the blood had come from an ongoing ear infection that Roxy had irritated during her panicked state.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Also, the Cane Toad emits a toxin that irritates skin and eyes.
    Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The meeting angered Democrats, who were horrified by Trump and Vice President Vance's conduct.
    Andrew Solender, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The brand also angered left-leaning customers because of its conciliatory response to right-wing attacks.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • He is also bothered that the revenue is going to transit and the toll is not geared solely to curbing traffic.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Many users never bother to switch to paying in the local currency, even if doing so could save them money.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, ordinary Americans will grow ever more enraged by the system’s ongoing failures, creating bountiful opportunities for someone who caters to their rage—someone like Donald Trump.
    Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Saudi Arabia, which as the region’s dominant diplomatic center, as well as spiritual home to the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims – many of whom are enraged by Israel’s actions – has perhaps the most skin in the game.
    Nic Robertson, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • After the war broke out, Lina insisted on helping shield the persecuted – Jews and Roma, among them – at great risk.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2025
  • According to court records, two plaintiffs fled Afghanistan due to fears that the Taliban might persecute them over their support for the United States.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Hackman is a detective who specializes in audio surveillance, spying on and bugging strangers, a wiretapper capturing them in incriminating secrets, yet unable to empathize or bond with any real-life humans.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Ahead of the trial, Sherborne alleged the newspapers had used deception to obtain his clients' medical, phone and flight records, as well as bugging homes and placing listening devices into cars.
    Max Taylor, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

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