rankle
[rang-kuhl]
verb (used without object), ran·kled, ran·kling.
(of unpleasant feelings, experiences, etc.) to continue to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment within the mind; fester; be painful.
verb (used with object), ran·kled, ran·kling.
to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment in: His colleague's harsh criticism rankled him for days.
Origin of rankle
Synonyms for rankle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for rankle
embitter, exasperate, inflame, bother, harass, vex, hurt, gall, rile, irk, torment, anger, chafe, fester, aggravate, pain, pester, nettle, plague, mortifyExamples from the Web for rankle
Contemporary Examples of rankle
“Operation Fast and Furious” continues to rankle some Republicans.
Newcomers may rankle you at first, but these may be false starts to lifelong bonds.
Historical Examples of rankle
The blade is poisoned, dear, and the wound will rankle for a lifetime.'
Despair's Last JourneyDavid Christie Murray
Take a look at it now, if you will, for hereafter we'll let it bide and rankle as it must.
Nicanor - Teller of TalesC. Bryson Taylor
Sir Cæsar, too, had (all unwittingly) planted an arrow and left it to rankle.
Major VigoureuxA. T. Quiller-Couch
Do you suppose she left that poison to rankle in the tender soul of her darling?
Over the TeacupsOliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
There is no sting to rankle, now that hope—hope for my boy—has gone.
Shining FerrySir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
rankle
verb
Word Origin for rankle
C14 ranclen, from Old French draoncler to fester, from draoncle ulcer, from Latin dracunculus small serpent, from dracō serpent; see dragon
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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