to rile

Examples

• All

• What are you getting so riled up about it for?

  Fiction book (1998)

• Now, you got me riled.

  The Fox and the Hound 2 (2006)

• You made a point a couple minutes back where you said he just kind of says these things to rile up his base.

• What is it she keeps doing to rile her mother so?

  Fiction book (2000)

• I will be the first to admit it; the woman was starting to rile me.

  Fiction book (2002)

• What social media has done is it's empowered every small group of people to get their voice out there and rile people up.

• You enjoy trying to rile me, don't you?

  The Silver Chalice (1954)

• "Getting all riled up can't be good for that heart of yours."

  Fiction book (1993)

• I actually didn't mind Kelly getting all riled up; it made for some good drama.

  Blog text (8)

• Some comments on social media can really rile people, leading to heated arguments.

Synonyms

B

to bother

vsto rile

∞ 1.0

To annoy or disturb someone

is about being upset by minor matters rather than serious worry

B

to bug

vsto rile

• Informal

229 3.7

To annoy someone by bothering them repeatedly

is about being upset by minor matters rather than continuous pestering

G

to get to

vsto rile

• Informal

222 6.3

Annoy or upset someone gradually

highlights irritation from small matters rather than any major problem

D

to drive (someone) crazy

vsto rile

• Informal

220 3.9

Make someone very annoyed or upset

is about being irritated by small matters rather than causing major distress

A

to annoy

vsto rile

144 1.0

Make someone slightly angry or bothered by small repeated actions

focuses on irritation caused by minor matters rather than repetition of actions

A

to anger

vsto rile

103 1.0

To make someone very upset or annoyed

focuses on milder irritation from small matters rather than strong upset

P

to provoke

vsto rile

87 3.6

Annoy someone again and again to make them react

is about irritation from minor matters rather than deliberately causing a reaction

G

to get on someone's nerves

vsto rile

• Informal

60 4.9

To bother someone again and again until they feel angry

describes irritation from minor matters rather than long lasting torment

I

to irritate

vsto rile

57 2.9

Make someone feel annoyed or impatient, often by repeated small actions

emphasizes being upset by minor matters rather than general impatience

G

to get at

vsto rile

• Informal

52 7.1

To annoy someone with small repeated actions

is about being upset by minor matters rather than deliberate provocation

D

to drive someone crazy

vsto rile

• Informal

46 3.2

Make someone very annoyed or upset

is milder, used for irritation by small matters rather than extreme upset

G

to get under someone's skin

vsto rile

• Informal

38 7.4

To annoy someone a lot by small things another person does

is milder, focusing on irritation from small matters rather than strong upset

R

to ruffle

vsto rile

27 4.1

Make someone feel slightly upset or annoyed

is mainly about irritation from minor matters rather than gentle disturbance

I

to irk

vsto rile

24 6.3

Make someone feel annoyed

tends to stress irritation from small matters rather than deeper vexation

A

to aggravate

vsto rile

15 4.2

Annoy someone and make them angrier

means irritation from minor matters rather than intense repeated provocation

V

to vex

vsto rile

13 7.0

To annoy someone by small, repeated actions

is used for annoyance from small matters rather than serious distress

G

to get someone's goat

vsto rile

• Informal

8 8.4

To annoy someone or make them angry

is used for irritation over small matters rather than formal complaint

G

to gall

vsto rile

6 7.1

To annoy someone deeply

expresses milder upset from small matters rather than deep resentment

R

to raise hackles

vsto rile

3 7.9

To make someone angry or upset

is about mild irritation from small matters rather than strong hostility

R

to ruffle some feathers

vsto rile

• Informal

3 7.2

Upset people by challenging usual views

is used for personal irritation over small matters rather than public challenge

E

to exasperate

vsto rile

2 5.9

Make someone very annoyed by doing the same thing again and again

describes mild irritation from small matters rather than very strong annoyance

N

to nettle

vsto rile

1 6.8

To annoy or upset someone in a way that feels sharp

describes milder irritation from small matters rather than sharp provocation

P

to peeve

vsto rile

1 6.8

To make someone feel annoyed

focuses on short irritations from small matters rather than deep resentment

D

to devil

vsto rile

• UK

1 8.3

To annoy someone again and again with small problems

is focused on irritation from minor matters rather than deliberate harassment

M

to miff

vsto rile

1 8.0

To make someone feel slightly annoyed

refers to irritation from minor matters rather than deeper personal hurt

G

to get under one's skin

vsto rile

• Informal

1 7.2

To annoy someone again and again so they feel bothered

creates irritation from small matters rather than deep personal obsession

G

to get one's dander up

vsto rile

• Informal

1 9.1

To make someone angry

is milder, describing irritation from small matters rather than strong anger

G

to gravel

vsto rile

• Archaic

1 9.9

To annoy or puzzle someone

stresses puzzlement instead of pure irritation from minor everyday matters

D

to disgruntle

vsto rile

1 8.0

To make someone feel unhappy or annoyed

focuses on irritation from small matters rather than general dissatisfaction

Antonyms

S

to soothe

75 3.4

To make someone feel calmer or reduce their pain

How Annoyed

to infuriate

30 5.0

to rile

22 6.9

to annoy

144 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology