Rankled: meaning, definitions and examples

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rankled

 

[ ˈræŋkəld ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

emotional response

To rankle means to cause someone to feel irritated or angry, especially over a long period of time. This term is often used when a comment or action continues to annoy someone long after it has occurred. The feeling is typically associated with resentment or lingering bitterness. When someone's feelings are rankled, they are often unable to let go of their irritation, capturing the essence of an emotional wound.

Synonyms

annoy, gall, irritate, peeve, vex.

Examples of usage

  • Her dismissive remarks rankled him during the meeting.
  • The unfair treatment rankled in his mind for days.
  • They didn't realize how their joke would rankle her.
  • His lack of acknowledgment rankled her deeply.

Translations

Translations of the word "rankled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irritado

🇮🇳 क्रोधित

🇩🇪 verärgert

🇮🇩 terganggu

🇺🇦 обурений

🇵🇱 poirytowany

🇯🇵 イライラさせる

🇫🇷 irrité

🇪🇸 irritado

🇹🇷 rahatsız olmuş

🇰🇷 화가 난

🇸🇦 مُستاء

🇨🇿 rozzlobený

🇸🇰 naštvaný

🇨🇳 恼怒的

🇸🇮 razdražen

🇮🇸 reiður

🇰🇿 ашуланған

🇬🇪 გაღიზიანებული

🇦🇿 narahat

🇲🇽 enojado

Etymology

The word 'rankled' comes from the Middle English word 'ranclen', which means 'to fester or become sore'. This roots back to the Old French 'rancler', which proposed similar meanings related to irritation and inflammation. The concept of something festering ties closely to how unresolved feelings can distract or disturb someone over time. The evolution of the word reflects transformations in the English language, influenced by the Norman Conquest and the blending of Old French and Old English. Over time, 'rankle' has maintained its focus on the emotional context of irritation, making it a vivid descriptor for feelings that linger and trouble the psyche.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,779, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.