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 Further Reading What to know about the Group of Seven summit in Canada that Trump will attend (Associated Press) G7 summit opens in Canada with a focus on trade, wars — and not riling Trump (ABC News) As G7 leaders meet, allies ask: Is Trump with us or against us? —Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 The rapper is known for riling up audiences, often encouraging them to climb onstage and bypass security. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 10 June 2025 He’s been too busy winning state titles with the Bruins to get riled up about old grudges. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 June 2025 Kennedy’s war on pesticides riles farmers, and a G.O.P. senator. —Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 15 May 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
  • Perhaps Trump just wanted to annoy his counterparts, especially those on the continent.
    — Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 14 July 2025
  • But Cotton, annoyed by Hank’s indirectness and emotion, browbeats his son.
    — Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • Trump left Washington in January 2021 infuriated with Netanyahu, bitter that the Israeli leader had backed out of a planned joint operation to assassinate an Iranian general and had congratulated Joe Biden on his election victory.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 8 July 2025
  • But his veto of an affordable housing bill that had been drafted largely to his specifications infuriated lawmakers.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • Things escalated further as fans began requesting photos and videos, reportedly irritating the R&B star.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 14 July 2025
  • According to Valliere, people and pets should avoid coming in contact with several invasive plants in California, including: Certain grasses, which produce long awns and seeds that can irritate skin, get stuck in pets’ fur, and cause discomfort for both animals and humans.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • Topline Attorney General Pam Bondi has become the chief lightning rod for those on the right angered by the Department of Justice’s lack of new information regarding disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein—a subject of extensive right-wing conspiracies—with some calling for her firing.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • But many of the Blues’ outings have been unpleasant because of high temperatures and storms, and six games across the tournament have been paused for poor weather conditions, angering manager Enzo Maresca.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 8 July 2025
Definition of anger
Verb
  • There’s something delicious about sipping lemonade after a dip in the pool, looking down from the balcony at the day-trippers all hot and bothered below.
    — Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
  • Chisholm, the Yankees’ hottest hitter over the last month or so, has said that the shoulder bothers him more in the field than at the plate.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • The borderline third-strike call enraged Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, who erupted from the dugout and was quickly ejected for arguing.
    — Peter Sblendorio, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
  • Massie enraged the president by opposing Trump's continuing resolution that would keep the government operating.
    — Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 4 July 2025
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • There may be no animal that has been more revered and reviled, romanticized and persecuted, adopted and murdered than the coyote.
    — Helen Whybrow July 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
  • Asylum seekers must prove their government is persecuting them or that they're being persecuted by someone who the government is unable or unwilling to stop.
    — Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • Say your mother kept bugging you to change a bad habit.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Next season is when all the little things start to bug me.
    — Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of bug

Browse Nearby Words

rig (up)
rile
riled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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