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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 The tariffs have hit competitors and allies, riling Democratic lawmakers, who say the measures are counterproductive to Trump's goals of helping American workers, and U.S. partners, who are now threatening sharp increases of their own. Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 And up until this point, she’s seriously delivered with tons of jaw-dropping outfits that always rile up the internet trolls. Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 29 Jan. 2025 In the play, the goddess Athena swoops into Athens to see what’s got everyone so riled up. Sigal Samuel, Vox, 3 Feb. 2025 The claim has riled financial markets, with Nvidia’s share price dropping over 12 percent in pre-market trading. Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
Verb
  • Instead of getting annoyed, try again a few minutes later and remember, never vent your frustration to your cats.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Since then, Lorenzo had been aggressive in pushing the Pinos to seek better medical expertise to get to the bottom of Tatiana’s health problems — an effort that reportedly annoyed Sergio.
    Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
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
Verb
  • Products with fragrances can also irritate the skin.
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Ramirez-Rosa has been a magnet for it, in ways that could further irritate the city’s already-tender Black-Latino relations.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The brand also angered left-leaning customers because of its conciliatory response to right-wing attacks.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The meeting angered Democrats, who were horrified by Trump and Vice President Vance's conduct.
    Andrew Solender, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.
    Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • As Caro settled into life in a new country, one thing often bothered him.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • That decision immediately enraged Venezuelans in South Florida who have temporary protections from deportation, who now fear they will be sent back to a nation that has suffered economic collapse under Maduro’s authoritarian rule.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
  • During a town hall meeting on Thursday, Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) met with hundreds of attendees enraged over his support for DOGE, which is run by Trump appointee Elon Musk.
    Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Feb. 2025
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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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