rankle
[ rang-kuhl ]
/ ˈræŋ kəl /
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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.
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Origin of rankle
OTHER WORDS FROM rankle
ran·kling·ly, adverbun·ran·kled, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for rankle
British Dictionary definitions for rankle
rankle
/ (ˈræŋkəl) /
verb
(intr) to cause severe and continuous irritation, anger, or bitterness; festerhis failure to win still rankles
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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