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Synonyms & Similar Words
irritate
annoy
vex
gall
provoke
infuriate
enrage
exasperate
nettle
rile
inflame
anger
offend
perturb
disturb
disquiet
trouble
worry
plague
bother
hassle
harass
badger
hound
persecute
torment
tease
taunt
goad
needle
prick
sting
smart
hurt
offend
affront
insult
slight
snub
pique
miff
ruffle
rumple
roil
churn
upset
distress
discomfort
discompose
fluster
flurry
fuss
agitate
upset
rattle
shake
jar
jolt
shock
startle
appall
outrage
scandalize
horrify
dismay
disillusion
dishearten
depress
dispirit
discourage
demoralize
Meaning of Rankle
to cause someone to feel annoyed or irritated
Definitions
- to cause someone to feel annoyed or irritated, often in a persistent way
- * to (of a wound or a sore) become or remain painful and inflamed
Etymology of Rankle
The word "rankle" originated in the 14th century, derived from the Old French word "rancler", which is itself derived from the Old French word "ranclure", meaning "festering" or "ulcer", and the Latin word "ranculus", meaning "little sore" or "ulcer"
Historically, the word has been used to describe both physical and emotional wounds, with the primary meaning being to cause persistent annoyance or irritation
Example Uses
- The memory of the insult still rankles with me
- * The wound began to rankle and needed to be drained
- * Her comments about my work really rankle me