Synonyms

rile

American

[rahyl] / raɪl /

verb (used with object)

Chiefly Northern and North Midland U.S.

riled, riling

to irritate or vex.

Synonyms:

nettle, chafe, provoke, annoy, irk
to roil (water or the like).

rile British

/ raɪl /

verb

to annoy or anger; irritate
to stir up or agitate (water, etc); roil or make turbid

"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

Etymology

Origin of rile

First recorded in 1815–25; variant of roil

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Saturday night’s audience was riled up, over the possibility of witchcraft, as well as questions of potential fraud.

From Literature

Her one big delight was in getting me all riled up by poking fun at me.

From Literature

The surest way to snag great travel tips and become overwhelmed and riled up all at once while planning a vacation?

From The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. women are playing it low key—no sense riling up the competition—but the confidence is clear.

From The Wall Street Journal

Space Force is seeking to expand the number of launches and attract aerospace companies in and around Vandenberg Space Force Base, where SpaceX launches already have riled up residents, state officials and environmentalists.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023