rankle
(of unpleasant feelings, experiences, etc.) to continue to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment within the mind; fester; be painful.
to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment in: His colleague's harsh criticism rankled him for days.
Origin of rankle
1Other words for rankle
Other words from rankle
- ran·kling·ly, adverb
- un·ran·kled, adjective
Words Nearby rankle
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use rankle in a sentence
That fact rankles Campagnoni, whose rent is almost 50% higher in his new room in a downtown apartment building.
He Tore Down Motels Where Poor Residents Lived During a Housing Crisis. City Leaders Did Nothing. | by Anjeanette Damon, photography by David Calvert, special to ProPublica | November 12, 2021 | ProPublicaTheir home is a jaw-dropping luxury loft that she pays for, and Abdul-Mateen conveys, subtly, how this rankles Anthony’s masculine pride.
Candyman Teases Out New Relevance From a ‘90s Horror Classic | Stephanie Zacharek | August 27, 2021 | TimeShe was also tasked with taking over Nichols’s Finals hosting duties in the bubble, which appeared to rankle Nichols.
Rachel Nichols is back on the air, but the fallout at ESPN is just beginning | Ben Strauss | July 8, 2021 | Washington PostThe fact that his success grows with no apparent effort on his part rankles others.
Bob Baffert, long horse racing’s irreverent king, sits on a precarious throne | Chuck Culpepper, Gus Garcia-Roberts | May 14, 2021 | Washington PostAndrew Johnson was ill-suited for the moment, setting off a Reconstruction process that would rankle many Northern veterans who wondered what they had fought for.
The future in Afghanistan may be key to the well-being of America’s soldiers | Dillon Carroll | May 6, 2021 | Washington Post
“Operation Fast and Furious” continues to rankle some Republicans.
Newcomers may rankle you at first, but these may be false starts to lifelong bonds.
As prickly as these issues are, others rankle at least as much.
Sibley heard a low, poisonous laugh of triumph rankle through the hotel office.
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete | Gilbert ParkerShe had a high temper herself; but anger did not rankle in her heart for days and days, as it did in Johnny's.
Dotty Dimple At Home | Sophie MayMajuba Hill was made to rankle in the memory of the English people by a persistent press campaign.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind | Herbert George WellsNevertheless, it can do no harm to say that kind words never rankle, while bitter words do.
The Deerslayer | James Fenimore CooperDeeply in their bosoms rankle wrongs and insults we have given, Blood alone can wash it, Kripa, such the cruel will of Heaven!
Maha-bharata | Anonymous
British Dictionary definitions for rankle
/ (ˈræŋkəl) /
(intr) to cause severe and continuous irritation, anger, or bitterness; fester: his failure to win still rankles
Origin of rankle
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse