rankle
verb (used without object)
(of unpleasant feelings, experiences, etc.) to continue to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment within the mind; fester; be painful.
will rankle
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future tenseof rankle.future tense
Used to express actions, events, or states that have not yet occurred but are expected to happen.
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.
The defeat and the nature of it will rankle, especially because she was considered a serious challenger for the title.
From Barron's ● Jan. 28, 2026
It’s unlikely that the Tesla deal with Syrah will rankle the Chinese government because China has plenty of markets for its graphite, including increased domestic electric vehicle production, Abuelsamid said.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 16, 2022
“You, therefore, know that all positive adjectives applied to them will be forgotten, yet anything even faintly smacking of imperfection in their work will rankle until the end of time.”
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 10, 2017
It’s not going to change policy, but it will rankle and distract him.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 26, 2017
Then they "kiss and make up," but the stab has been given, and will rankle.
From A Terrible Secret by May Agnes Fleming
