riling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of rilingnext
as in annoying
causing annoyance a riling habit that drives his wife crazy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

riling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of rile
1
as in bothering
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in angering
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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for riling
  1. annoying
  2. bothering
  3. angering
  4. irritating
  5. frustrating
  6. disturbing
  7. aggravating
Adjective
  • Few things are as annoying as a vacuum cleaner that leaves a strip of dust by the baseboards and in the corners.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Ding-dong ditched … well into adulthood—one person rang a neighbor's doorbell repeatedly just to be annoying.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of annoying
Verb
  • Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of bothering
Verb
  • The prequel will introduce his family and girlfriend and the events that led up to his victory, notorious for angering the Capitol elite.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Reports suggest that some Republican lawmakers are frustrated with Musk’s bluster and that the DOGE approach to slashing the federal bureaucracy is angering constituents and making lawmakers less popular in their districts.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of angering
Adjective
  • Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition with genetic and environmental causes, whereas atopic dermatitis stems from an irritating substance that triggers a rash.
    — Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Going Overboard with Outdoor Lighting Light pollution can be just as irritating as that dog down the street who barks like clockwork for 30 minutes every night.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of irritating
Adjective
  • For many people, these medications provide a way out of the frustrating cycle of dieting and regaining weight.
    — Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Candidates who experience slow, frustrating hiring cycles are less likely to accept offers or recommend the company to others.
    — Casey Marquette, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of frustrating
Adjective
  • Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.
    — Steven Levy, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of disturbing
Verb
  • According to Yau, those with acne-prone skin should reach for a stainless steel gua sha—unlike natural stone, stainless steel is non-porous and anti-bacterial, preventing unwanted breakouts and aggravating easily congested skin.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Following his final round, the two-time major champion detailed surviving the weekend without aggravating his rib injury.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of aggravating
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.

Browse Nearby Words

riley
riling
rill
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Cite this Entry

“Riling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riling. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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