rankled 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of ranklednext
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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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rankled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of rankle
1
as in stormed
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger that kind of rude treatment from a young person makes me rankle

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2
as in infuriated
to make angry it rankles me when some schools can't even afford paper and pencils for the students

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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
  1. angered
  2. raged
  3. enraged
  4. angry
  5. annoyed
  6. indignant
  7. shook
  8. mad
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
Definition of angered
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
Definition of raged
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
Definition of enraged
Adjective
  • During eight tumultuous days in 1988 at the world’s only Deaf university, four students must find a way to lead an angry mob to change the course of history.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Accept Your Child's Anger When your child has an angry outburst, acknowledge it.
    — Miriam Foley, Parents, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of angry
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
Definition of annoyed
Adjective
  • Launching into her response, Willians soon became indignant, then emotional as her answer veered into a discussion of Morrissey and the judge who deemed a guardian necessary.
    — Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Tendrils of hypocrisy appear in 2025 over baseball’s continuing ban of Rose as sports leagues including MLB climb into bed with betting sportsbooks and reap millions from them, while simultaneously acting all aghast and indignant that a player of theirs might dip a toe in gambling.
    — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of indignant
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
Definition of shook
Adjective
  • Then Sterling did some less effective things and got suspended anyway, so that mad idea was, at least, parked for the time being.
    — Amy Lawrence, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Staff Pick: The mad scramble for backyard eggs Naeema Fineley's backyard chicken coop in Georgia.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of mad

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“Rankled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rankled. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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