Rankle
verb
To annoy or irritate someone over a long period of time.
His arrogant attitude rankles me.
Often appears as...
- something rankles someone
- rankles in someone's mind
verb
To cause a lasting feeling of anger, bitterness, or resentment.
The injustice of the situation still rankles her.
Often appears as...
- injustice rankles
- situation rankles
verb
To annoy or irritate someone over a long period of time.
His arrogant attitude rankles me.
Often appears as...
- something rankles someone
- rankles in someone's mind
verb
To cause a lasting feeling of anger, bitterness, or resentment.
The injustice of the situation still rankles her.
Often appears as...
- injustice rankles
- situation rankles
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Long-Term Irritation
Used when someone's behavior or actions slowly cause irritation over time.
His constant lateness rankles me more each day.
Pro Tip 2/3Personal Annoyance
Emphasizes something specifically troubling to an individual, not everyone.
Her habit of interrupting rankles me personally.
Pro Tip 3/3Mild but Persistent
The annoyance is usually not overpowering but lingers persistently.
Although minor, the mispronunciation of his name rankled him.
Pro Tip 1/3Long-Term Irritation
Used when someone's behavior or actions slowly cause irritation over time.
His constant lateness rankles me more each day.
Pro Tip 2/3Personal Annoyance
Emphasizes something specifically troubling to an individual, not everyone.
Her habit of interrupting rankles me personally.
Pro Tip 3/3Mild but Persistent
The annoyance is usually not overpowering but lingers persistently.
Although minor, the mispronunciation of his name rankled him.
Pro Tip 1/3Long-Term Irritation
Used when someone's behavior or actions slowly cause irritation over time.
His constant lateness rankles me more each day.
Pro Tip 2/3Personal Annoyance
Emphasizes something specifically troubling to an individual, not everyone.
Her habit of interrupting rankles me personally.
Pro Tip 3/3Mild but Persistent
The annoyance is usually not overpowering but lingers persistently.
Although minor, the mispronunciation of his name rankled him.
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Video examples
Is the world getting...
Now, it's not that they hate the fruits of progress, mind you. Most academics and pundits would rather have their surgery with anesthesia than without it. It's the idea of progress that rankles the chattering class.
Video examples
Is the world getting...
Now, it's not that they hate the fruits of progress, mind you. Most academics and pundits would rather have their surgery with anesthesia than without it. It's the idea of progress that rankles the chattering class.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Nathaniel Hawthorne
American Novelist
In our nature, however, there is a provision, alike marvelous and merciful, that the sufferer should never know the intensity of what he endures by its present torture, but chiefly by the pang that rankles after it.
Quote examples
Margaret MacMillan
Canadian Historian
An apology offered and, equally important, received is a step towards reconciliation and, sometimes, recompense. Without that process, hurts can rankle and fester and erupt into their own hatreds and wrongdoings.
Quote examples
Nuno Bettencourt
Portuguese Musician
If you spend long enough with a bunch of guys, things will inevitably start to rankle. You're going to hate the way the singer comes into the room and opens the curtains 'cos he's done it too fast or whatever.
Quote examples
Susie Dent
English Scientist
In all my years in 'Countdown's' Dictionary Corner, the subject most guaranteed to rankle with our viewers is the presence of Americanisms in the dictionary.
Quote examples
Larry David
American Actor
Even though the National Guard and Army Reserve see combat today, it rankles me that people assume it was some kind of waltz in the park back then.
Quote examples
Ari Melber
American Journalist
It always rankled me - in law school and the legal profession - when lawyers would speak to each other in their own exclusive language.
Quote examples
Jean Ingelow
English Poet
And old affront will stir the heart Through years of rankling pain.
Quote examples
Milkha Singh
Indian Athlete
Rome rankles. It will always. I missed a certain medal.
Quote examples
Nathaniel Hawthorne
American Novelist
In our nature, however, there is a provision, alike marvelous and merciful, that the sufferer should never know the intensity of what he endures by its present torture, but chiefly by the pang that rankles after it.
Quote examples
Margaret MacMillan
Canadian Historian
An apology offered and, equally important, received is a step towards reconciliation and, sometimes, recompense. Without that process, hurts can rankle and fester and erupt into their own hatreds and wrongdoings.
Quote examples
Nuno Bettencourt
Portuguese Musician
If you spend long enough with a bunch of guys, things will inevitably start to rankle. You're going to hate the way the singer comes into the room and opens the curtains 'cos he's done it too fast or whatever.
Quote examples
Susie Dent
English Scientist
In all my years in 'Countdown's' Dictionary Corner, the subject most guaranteed to rankle with our viewers is the presence of Americanisms in the dictionary.
Quote examples
Larry David
American Actor
Even though the National Guard and Army Reserve see combat today, it rankles me that people assume it was some kind of waltz in the park back then.
Quote examples
Ari Melber
American Journalist
It always rankled me - in law school and the legal profession - when lawyers would speak to each other in their own exclusive language.
Quote examples
Jean Ingelow
English Poet
And old affront will stir the heart Through years of rankling pain.
Quote examples
Milkha Singh
Indian Athlete
Rome rankles. It will always. I missed a certain medal.
Example 1 of 8
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