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 Every time one of those comments riles you up, pull up a photo album from a recent trip and remind yourself that some people just talk about plans (or type about them), and some people do them. —R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 13 May 2025 This description riled up many of those who prefer to view Trump as a cartoon villain (the kind who twirls his mustache while plotting global domination). —Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 In the early days of his presidency, Lai carefully avoided riling Beijing unnecessarily. —Ian Bremmer, Time, 26 Apr. 2025 The second baseman claimed that Bacon said some things that ultimately riled him up, but Chisholm declined to elaborate. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 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
  • Orlando Sentinel Residents also allege the neighbor erected phallic objects on a fence at his home to annoy them.
    — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
  • Cahill also spoke about how the political nature of the case annoyed him, as politicians spoke out about Floyd's death, and some called for system-wide change.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • More: The infuriating ambiguity of 'fine' Broadhurst has since graduated from Oxford and is now pursuing a masters in forensic speech science at the University of York.
    — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • But the new textbooks have infuriated former government loyalists who defend their version of history.
    — Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • Sturdy posts at the front of the shoes connect to a flip-flop style design that won’t irritate or chafe your skin, while the supportive insoles are far better-suited for days spent on your feet than flimsy, cheaper sandals.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
  • There are pull-ups made with Velcro that can irritate your child’s skin, especially when misaligned.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 May 2025
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • Target also said its first-quarter performance was affected by negative reactions to its pullback on diversity, equity and inclusion policies (DEI) in January, which angered some loyal customers who have long praised the company's commitment to inclusiveness.
    — Siddharth Cavale, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Trump was angered by reading reports that Springsteen, without referring to the president by name, had criticized the administration in a Manchester concert.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 21 May 2025
Definition of anger
Verb
  • After years of ‘losing culture,’ can the new-look Chicago Bears turn things around on defense? Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard didn’t bother mincing words.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • The walk, only his second this month, bothered him.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 26 May 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • Summer schedules since have been filled with other shows like Big Brother, Love Island USA, and various iterations of The Bachelor franchise keeping viewers entertained and/or enraged ever since.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 31 May 2025
  • Market volatility has enraged Democrats and worried many Republicans as the country experiences whiplash from tariff announcements, leaving many people worried about their finances.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2025
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • Leopoldo chose to be the voice of the people who elected him, and was persecuted for it.
    — Imamu "Mu" Tomlinson, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • His parents, Marcelo Netto and Miriam Leitão, are both journalists who resisted the dictatorship and were persecuted.
    — Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 27 May 2025
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • But this is not the case in Season 2, and it’s been bugging me to no end.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • In less than a minute, Judge posed both the problem and the solution that will bug the Yankees for as long as Soto is doing his shuffle.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 16 May 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 4 Jun. 2025.

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