as in angry
feeling or showing anger
the woman was obviously riled, as she kept throwing things
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in annoyed
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 infuriated
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
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Recent Examples of riled
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
They’re aided by a small team of assistants who double as dogsitters when Siwa’s poodle Clyde gets too riled up in the dance studio — he’s been known to nip the ankles of men.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Zac and Dylan have a reputation for getting fans riled up with their shirtless photos.
—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
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
My book has riled up a lot of Christians.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
The locals, especially seniors and year-round residents, are riled up.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2025
Manager Mikel Arteta was riled up after Newcastle slowed play down in a January 2023 draw (0-0).
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
That’s because Kirk was beloved by so many gun owners, Martin said, and his death has riled them beyond the point where they could be suppressed.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Foster himself is carefully presented in all the customary ways for this kind of quiet-cool, deadly-when-riled hero.
—Verb
While video replay showed Elliss’ hit was clean (and legal), the optics of Dart being jettisoned a few yards into his own sideline riled up several Giants players, including second-year tight end Theo Johnson, who immediately went after Elliss.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for riled
Adjective
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Robby is angry at himself for not seeing it.—
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None of the referees appeared to be struck by the objects being thrown on the court, despite video showing a windfall of debris raining down from the angry crowd.—
Verb
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Luis is frankly annoyed by this type of music.—
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Vulnerability is currency on reality television, and after a season of exposing their own struggles and embarrassments, the other women are annoyed that Meredith wants to keep up appearances.—
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.—
Adjective
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Things eventually come to a head back in Cairo, where local police arrest Roper and his team, only for the enraged buyers, who were defrauded due to Pine's intervention, to seize the convoy.—
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If not for the deeply funny asides and anecdotes from the book’s fictional characters, the reader would be left enraged and shaking.—
Verb
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Hollywood CEOs aren’t getting hot and bothered about using AI to completely replace real-life movie stars; the guilds wouldn’t allow it, and audiences wouldn’t want it.—
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Burrow, who spoke with media after the Bengals lost 18-20 to the Cleveland Browns, seemed bothered by his 'do from the start, sitting down at the mic and instantly raking his lengthy bangs back with his hands.—
Verb
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Like Francis, Leo has faced criticism from conservative US Catholics and MAGA supporters, angered by his comments on migration and climate change.—
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Obama’s enthusiastic showings for both candidates was a test of whether his sway over the Democratic Party still remains after his support for Harris failed to boost her to the White House a year ago and angered black male voters who felt unfairly accused of sexism.—
Adjective
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If people are outraged that Trump seeks regime change in Venezuela to control the country's oil, that's news.—
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Families physically pulled apart by uncaring hands over the outraged screams of the bereft?—
Verb
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The song, which reclaims a derogatory term for Venezuelan female migrants, was interpreted as defiant and irritated the Venezuelan president, then facing widespread reports of electoral fraud.—
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Other signs your skin is being irritated by a beauty product include redness or flaking.—
Cite this Entry
“Riled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riled. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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