ruffles 1 of 2

noun

plural of ruffle
1
as in flounces
a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge and used as trimming likes lace curtains without ruffles and chintz curtains with ruffles

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2
as in thorns
something that is a source of irritation a spouse's snoring is one ruffle that many couples must eventually come to terms with

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ruffles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ruffle
as in annoys
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts the stream of minor complaints finally ruffled him into snapping, "If you don't like the way I'm doing it, do it yourself!"

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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 ruffles
Noun
The silhouette was slim-fitting, with a scoop neckline and flowing skirt that cascaded in ruffles to the red carpet. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 That spirit was alive across collections, where sweet bows, light pink shades, ruffles, and even embroidered kittens made their way onto bridal looks. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 Adding a bit of texture like ruffles and feathers will give it a more editorial touch. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026 Zendaya appeared at the show in a white lace jacket with voluminous ruffles along the collar and down the sleeves. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2026 Zendaya layered the intricate lace piece, which was trimmed with giant ruffles, over a simple white tank and baggy low-rise jeans. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Oct. 2026 Our favorite dress picks have a variety of styles and versatile features, like darling ruffles, cinching waistlines, and trending silhouettes. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2026 By the second week’s promotional events, pleats and ruffles came to the fore. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Mario Perez cheered from the curb as dancers in bright dresses twirled down the street Saturday afternoon, ribbons and ruffles flashing in the sun. — Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
Mama pats Rafa’s head then ruffles his hair. — Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 And Elon Musk’s AI power plant ruffles a Mississippi city. — David Hickey, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026 Luckily for the show, nothing ruffles the other women’s feathers more, so good television still ensues. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffles
  1. flounces
  2. thorns
  3. annoys
  4. borders
  5. headaches
  6. bugs
  7. frills
  8. frustrations
Noun
  • For some, summer is about wearing lightweight bohemian pieces, like flowing blouses, voluminous dresses, a lots of frills and flounces.
    — Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 28 June 2026
  • Prone to wearing clothes that suggest an overgrown pre-teen herself, all frills, flounces and bright colors, Martha doesn’t look like great maternal material to Claire, although this judgmental attitude may be evidence of her own maternal deficiencies.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
Definition of flounces
Noun
  • Cue an enthralling chase sequence, doubling back through those higgledy-piggledy Portland streetscapes, toward the woods — the impenetrable thickets and thorns of which magically part in her presence.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Grace Carroll gives a poignant performance as the Nightingale—borne aloft with arched back and trembling, outstretched hands by other dancers, who play thorns that pierce her breast—and Adam Elmes makes a seductively sinister Dorian Gray.
    — Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorns
Verb
  • What annoys me is that this whole thing is called Roaring 20th, so why was there not a flapper and Great Gatsby theme?
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • That very same thing is what annoys Liz about Charles 500 years later.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoys
Noun
  • Meanwhile, North Korea has been adding mines, barbed wire fences, tactical roads, anti-tank walls and other fortifications to what's already one of the world's most heavily armed borders.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • That protects state budgets but leaves businesses within their borders with less money to invest.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of borders
Noun
  • The area is one of the most notorious traffic headaches in the country, with the mountains dividing the bustling Westside employment hub from the San Fernando Valley.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Those headaches create headwinds, but the underlying story provides support.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of headaches
Verb
  • Irwin is uncertain if the second infestation of bed bugs last weekend were ones that weren’t caught the first time, or if a person brought new bed bugs in.
    — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Not too much bugs him, but he sometimes is annoyed by his baby sister and doesn’t trust people who put pineapple on their pizza.
    — Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of bugs
Noun
  • Many passengers have come to accept no frills flying, paying for every extra beyond a seat.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Located in a petite strip mall off I-75, the doughnut shop lacks frills but delights with an array of yeast and cake-style doughnuts.
    — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of frills
Noun
  • Even Luke Kuechly, who was honored at halftime for his recent induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, couldn’t quell any frustrations.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Clinton's lack of a majority and list of frustrations in his first term set the stage for a bruising first midterm election in 1994.
    — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustrations

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ruffles
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Cite this Entry

“Ruffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffles. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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