The joke about her family rankled her. that kind of rude treatment from a young person makes me rankle

Recent Examples on the Web

His headlong pursuit of celebrity will rankle many people, and even those close to him acknowledge that the idea of it consumed him. David Howard, Popular Mechanics, ""Mad Mike" Hughes Rejected Science and Chased Fame. It Killed Him.," 30 Aug. 2020

In an average year, showing up to work or social events with a cough or throat tickle could rankle your desk mates or friends. Sarah Feldberg, SFChronicle.com, "We need workers to stay home when they’re ill. It’s going to take universal sick leave," 30 Aug. 2020

The move is certain to rankle European leaders and anger both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who see the US troop presence on the continent, especially in Germany, as a cornerstone of post-World War II order. Thomas Gibbons-neff, BostonGlobe.com, "US to cut 12,000 forces in Germany," 29 July 2020

Anti-vaccine sentiments in particular could rankle customers as the virus, which has killed over 130,000 Americans, continues to spread. Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, "Kanye's anti-vax stance is a risk for Gap," 8 July 2020

In South Africa, for example, which is one of the world’s most unequal countries, according to the World Bank, intense protests and anger over race and wealth inequality still rankle the country, 26 years after apartheid ended. Melissa Chan, Time, "This Researcher Predicted 2020 Would Be Mayhem. Here’s What He Says May Come Next," 16 June 2020

The thing that rankles the most is the insistence that liberal self-satisfaction is a critical obstacle to progress, which, at this point in the country’s trajectory, should be made in a sprint rather than a shuffle. Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, "Don’t Mourn. Organize.," 8 Apr. 2020

The unexpected success of the Vermont Socialist’s upstart primary challenge still rankles her. Jonathan S. Tobin, National Review, "Hillary’s Bernie-Bashing Will Backfire," 23 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rankle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.