rile
verb (used with object)
to irritate or vex.
was riling
-
past progressiveof rile.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
He tried to think less about money, because the stress of it was riling up an old back injury, and he refused to pay for painkillers.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 1, 2015
Soon Eirinaios was riling German authorities by demanding Greek-language schooling for the workers' children.
From Time Magazine Archive
There is no knowing where he might have ended, if I hadn't lifted my forefinger, for a whole gust of poetry was riling up in his earthly nature like yeast in a baking of bread.
From Phemie Frost's Experiences by Ann S. (Ann Sophia) Stephens
It was riling to miss it, but I don't see how it could have been otherwise.
From Canada for Gentlemen by James Seaton Cockburn
