Dictionary.com

rankle

[ rang-kuhl ]
/ ˈræŋ kəl /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: rankle / rankling on Thesaurus.com
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.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rankle

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; see dragon, carbuncle

OTHER WORDS FROM rankle

ran·kling·ly, adverbun·ran·kled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to rankle

anger, bother, embitter, exasperate, gall, harass, hurt, inflame, irk, rile, torment, vex, aggravate, chafe, fester, fret, mortify, nettle, obsess, pain

How to use rankle in a sentence

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK