rile

verb

ˈrī(-ə)l How to pronounce rile (audio)
Definition of rilenext
1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts one sure way to rile me is to keep yelling for me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to infuriate
to make angry her husband isn't easily riled, but once he is, he stays that way for days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Musk’s investigation into the Treasury Department’s payment system riled the public with Democrats claiming an unelected billionaire is looking to access the private information of hardworking people. — Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Feb. 2025 Scherzer believes mutual friends perhaps tipped off Hedges on how to rile him. — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 Cyrus riled them up to believe that the Landrys made a deal with the devil, which must be why their farm is prosperous during the cursed winter. — Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 21 Feb. 2025 Trump’s threat in November to impose a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico has riled Canadian leaders, dividing Trudeau and his allies. — Sara Dorn, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
  1. annoy
  2. infuriate
  3. irritate
  4. anger
  5. bother
  6. enrage
  7. persecute
  8. bug
Verb
  • With Connecticut facing the possibility of exceeding the cap by $61 million, Lamont is reining in spending, annoying some liberal Democrats who note that the state is simultaneously looking at a budget surplus.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Also keeping with that theme are tons of Marvel references to the point that Mara (who starred in 2015’s Fantastic Four) was likely getting annoyed.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • Ford calls for export taxes on Canadian oil Trump’s trade war and his talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state have infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American national anthem at NHL and NBA games.
    — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Tennis is an infuriating sport, and most players, amateur or professional, will have experienced flashes of self-loathing.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • In addition to the on-again, off-again tariffs and the militarization of the border, Trump has irritated Mexico by renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Salt grains may be irritating, especially for people with sensitive skin types.
    — Susan Bard, Health, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • In the video game, Abby pits herself against Joel, which also angered online gamers.
    — Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The move, which directs the education secretary to go forward with revising a law passed by Congress, pleased some conservatives while angering student loan borrowers and advocates, who vowed to launch a court challenge.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of anger
Verb
  • The First Amendment’s free speech protection is under siege by the Trump administration and that should bother every American, including Republicans.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • By the end of the day, my T-zone had turned a little bit oily, but honestly, not enough to bother me.
    — Denise Primbet, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • The gallery owner, Mariana, is both despondent and enraged.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Justice denied Problems exposed in the unit have enraged victims and frustrated prosecutors and judges.
    — Donna McGuire, Ian Cummings, and Glenn E. Rice, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • Rwanda has claimed the Tutsis are being persecuted by Hutus and former militias responsible for the 1994 genocide of 800,000 Tutsis and others in Rwanda.
    — CHINEDU ASADU, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the U.S. government persecuted people of being communists.
    — Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • The movie's famous final scene sees Hackman's character playing the saxophone after his paranoia has led him to destroy his entire apartment to see if it was bugged.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Drew played in our first game and had a good game versus Santa Teresa, but he’s got a shoulder injury that’s been bugging him.
    — Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Definition of bug

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Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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