riles

verb

present tense third-person singular of rile
1
as in annoys
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts one sure way to rile me is to keep yelling for me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in angers
to make angry her husband isn't easily riled, but once he is, he stays that way for days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of riles Inflammation also riles up the immune system, which can spiral out of control and attack the heart and other organs. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025 As Eddie is named a suspect in the murders, Jason riles up the town to hunt him down, claiming the Hellfire Club is a cult. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025 City councils and other local boards often decide on sleepy, procedural agendas, but, occasionally, an issue riles citizens to turn out and speak their minds during public comment. — Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025 As today’s Solar Eclipse riles up your 7th House of Partnership, you’ll be reminded to balance pride with listening in every close exchange. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026 Tensions were exacerbated by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, which still riles many Thais. — Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025 Tensions were exacerbated by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, which still riles many Thais. — Arkansas Online, 13 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riles
  1. annoys
  2. angers
  3. irritates
  4. infuriates
  5. bothers
  6. enrages
  7. persecutes
  8. bugs
Verb
  • What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?
    — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • One of the more common ways bear encounters escalate is when an off-leash dog runs toward a bear, annoys it, and then comes sprinting back to its owner with an angry predator in pursuit.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Definition of annoys
Verb
  • That angers Oswadeliz Nuñez, whose son Daniel Núñez remains missing after being deported.
    — Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 30 June 2026
  • In all, PayPal Park is allowed to host as many as 15 concerts a year, a number that delights some live music fans and angers those in the neighborhood who are concerned about the noise that these shows will generate.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Definition of angers
Verb
  • If someone is in your life long enough, they’re bound to do something that irritates you—and you’re bound to do something that irritates them.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
  • Elsa’s inquisitive presence almost instantly irritates Amalia, as the latter refuses to simply acquiesce to her relentless quizzing.
    — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Definition of irritates
Verb
  • Georgia Supreme Court challenger Jen Jordan infuriates Republicans with a new fundraising email.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 15 May 2026
  • To that end, Nate's extravagant wedding infuriates Naz, who thinks Nate has the ability to pay him back but is holding out on him.
    — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of infuriates
Verb
  • What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • What bothers me is the implication of a Labubu National Team full of these things.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of bothers
Verb
  • The ghostly character doesn't have a particularly significant role in the story, but is a constant nuisance in the tapestry of Hogwarts with antics that include throwing things, making messes, pulling pranks, and generally causing mischief that enrages caretaker Argus Filch.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
  • This is exactly the kind of mainstream Christian view that enrages Allie Beth Stuckey.
    — Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of enrages
Verb
  • China, which jails human rights activists in Hong Kong, persecutes Uyghurs, has killed hundreds of thousands of Tibetans and has committed genocide against the Falun Gong, is on the UN Human Rights Council.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • In Russia, the civilian repressive apparatus persecutes the military, which leaps at every chance for revenge.
    — Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Definition of persecutes
Verb
  • What really bugs me about this moment, and about the battle and its aftermath, is the lack of feeling.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • When traveling, the EPA suggests inspecting any room visitors will be staying in for the presence of bed bugs.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of bugs

Browse Nearby Words

riled
riles
riley
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Cite this Entry

“Riles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riles. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of riles for Spanish Speakers

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