rankled 1 of 2

as in angered
feeling or showing anger our supervisor was rankled by all the unexpected delays and problems we ran into

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rankled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of rankle

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 rankled
Verb
One part of Harris’ platform particularly rankled Sasse. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024 This has rankled many in America’s spy community. Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Nov. 2024 The new labor movement has clearly rankled prominent tech figures, Musk among them. Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024 Those comments rankled Swayman’s agent Lewis Gross, who posted a response to Neely on social media. Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rankled
Verb
  • The sequence of events clearly angered Bain.
    Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The move angered fans, and a scandal over offensive remarks Richards had made on a podcast led him to quit before his episodes aired.
    Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • During a House Democratic caucus meeting, Jeffries presided over what sources described as an energetic caucus in which Democrats raged over being cut out of negotiations on the bill.
    Andrew Solender, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
  • This, as war raged in Europe, with Putin’s brutal campaign against Ukraine.
    Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The newspaper includes the story of how Brando was enraged to discover his voice had been dubbed by an Italian actor for the local version.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2025
  • But conservatives said they were enraged by the legislation.
    Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Harry Belafonte was angry at Martin Luther King’s funeral.
    Made by History, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Related article People are angry at Gen Z taking photos of airport trays.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Big, sometimes uncontrollable emotions are a normal part of growing up, and gentle parents at least try to not dismiss their or get annoyed with their kids when those challenging moments come up.
    Alex Vance, Parents, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Initially annoyed by his bubbly personality, Jovie eventually warms up to Buddy, and the pair fall in love.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In the clip, Miyazaki seems neither outraged nor indignant, simply exhausted and annoyed.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The officers allow Eddie, indignant and disempowered by the search, to come in to help his son.
    Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Richard Arnold, the chief executive whose departure had already been announced, went round the room and shook everyone’s hand, expressing his belief the future at United would be bright.
    Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The camera then cut to Johansson, who shook her head while grimacing.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • And the maddest thing of all is the AI Generator, who wants to marry her!
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The other tuna dodged their dead companions with a flick of the tail and continued their mad carousel.
    Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (Tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rankled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankled. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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