rankle

[rang-kuhl]

verb (used without object)

rankled, rankling 

1. (of unpleasant feelings, experiences, etc.) to continue to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment within the mind; fester; be painful.

   Synonyms: chafe, gall, irritate

verb (used with object)

rankled, rankling 

1. to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment in.

   His colleague's harsh criticism rankled him for days.

   Synonyms: chafe, gall, irritate

rankle

/ ˈræŋkəl /

verb

1. (intr) to cause severe and continuous irritation, anger, or bitterness; fester

   his failure to win still rankles

Other Word Forms

• ranklingly adverb
• unrankled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rankle¹

1250–1300; Middle English ranclen < Middle French rancler, Old French raoncler, variant of draoncler to fester, derivative of draoncle a sore < Late Latin dracunculus small serpent, diminutive of Latin dracō serpent; dragon, carbuncle

Word History and Origins

Origin of rankle¹

C14 ranclen , from Old French draoncler to fester, from draoncle ulcer, from Latin dracunculus small serpent, from dracō serpent; see _dragon

Example Sentences

That Rangers have four draws and a defeat to show for their other Premiership outings this term is what still rankles with the rank and file.

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Good vibes aside, some of Hochman’s decisions have rankled line prosecutors and led to political pitfalls.

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The “Big Beautiful Bill” included several provisions that could have rankled Musk, including a phaseout of green energy tax credits passed during the Biden administration that have benefited companies like Tesla.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But Schmidt would know he is highlighting a topic that might rankle with some Lions fans.

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This decision rankled with the former president and his family.

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Related Words

• anger 
• bother 
• embitter 
• exasperate 
• gall 
• harass 
• hurt 
• inflame 
• irk 
• rile 
• torment 
• vex