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

It seems to me as though I had crushed a part of my very life and the sore will rankle for ever.

From Mr. Marx's Secret by Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)