Meaning

(transitive or intransitive) To cause irritation, bitterness or acrimony..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive or intransitive) To cause irritation, bitterness or acrimony.
2. (intransitive) To fester.
3. (rare) A festering, embittering object or condition, either mental, or a physical sore or ulcer.

Example Sentences

My colleague's gratuitous criticism still rankles with me.

1894, Ivan Dexter, Talmud: A Strange Narrative of Central Australia, published in serial form in Port Adelaide News and Lefevre's Peninsula Advertiser (SA), Chapter XX, http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks16/1600641.txt I stood trembling with agony for the spear was rankling in the wound.

[…] and the alliance which was dictated by sound policy, by family ties, and by just fear of England's sea power, was further assured to France by recent and still existing injuries that must continue to rankle with Spain. […]

Contrary to the biblical injunction, I have allowed many suns to set on a quarrel I have harboured against you, but I must not allow the old year to expire without disburdening myself of what is rankling in my breast against you.

Liam hadn't meant for that last part to slip out. Allie might think it pretty pathetic that he'd remembered that comment from the first night they met, but it had rankled him then and, to some degree, it rankled him now.

What most rankles me about the term is how casually it is being applied to schools—temples of learning—and especially to children.

a splinter rankles in the flesh

But yet the cause and root of all his ill, Inward corruption and infected sin, Not purg'd nor heald, behind remained still, And festring sore did rankle yet within […]

Word Forms

• rankles
• rankling
• rankled

Synonyms for rankle

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When Should You Use Rankle?

Use rankle when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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