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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rile
Zac and Dylan have a reputation for getting fans riled up with their shirtless photos.
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Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
But on Sunday, voters will go to the polls to vote on an inheritance tax that has riled them up.
—Carolin Roth, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025
As Eddie is named a suspect in the murders, Jason riles up the town to hunt him down, claiming the Hellfire Club is a cult.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
Earlier this year, the conservative commentator got riled up about the news that Netflix would be rebooting Little House on the Prairie.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rile
Verb
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She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.—
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Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.—
Verb
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The development appears to have infuriated the center’s interim president, MAGA loyalist Richard Grenell.—
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Trump’s blunt warnings have infuriated the country’s leaders, who have since doubled down on crushing the protests.—
Verb
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These changes to the fabric’s texture can also irritate delicate skin.—
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To ensure the materials were safe for biological use, the friction layers was tested on a rabbit’s eye, where the device maintained its charge without irritating.—
Verb
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With an economy that is persistently reliant on crude, pursuing policies that raise energy costs risks angering constituents.—
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The board instead approved a resolution to reexamine current campus spaces, angering some parents.—
Verb
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Take a seat on an icy throne—the cold never bothered you anyway.—
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Don’t bother wasting your money—using it more than once a day won’t yield ‘better’ or faster results.—
Verb
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Starting over with a new coach or general manager right now takes contender off the table, and judging by the support thrown behind the head coach, would enrage Burrow in the process.—
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Jensen’s father, David Jensen, was enraged by McIntyre’s not guilty plea.—
Verb
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Open Doors is a global Christian charity supporting Christians persecuted for their faith.—
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Most commonly, people felt they were being persecuted via their electronics – that their Wi-Fi networks, computers or cellphones had been hacked or implanted with tracking devices.—
Verb
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That thing’s been bugging on him for a while.—
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Check the head and base and foot of the bed, peeling back the top sheet to look for evidence on mattress covers, box springs, dust ruffles, and the headboard—and most importantly, the mattress seams and piping because bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices.—
Cite this Entry
“Rile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rile. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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