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Rankling: meaning, definitions and examples

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rankling

 

[ ˈræŋklɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

emotional response

To rankle means to cause annoyance or resentment that persists over time. It often describes feelings that linger and irritate, sometimes leading to bitterness.

Synonyms

anger, annoy, irritate, vex

Examples of usage

  • Her comments continued to rankle him long after their discussion.
  • The unfair treatment at work rankled in his mind.
  • Being overlooked for promotion can rankle even the most patient employees.
Context #2 | Noun

situation or issue

A rankling situation refers to an issue or problem that causes persistent irritation or resentment. It could be a lingering grievance or an unresolved conflict.

Synonyms

annoyance, discontent, grievance, irritation

Examples of usage

  • The rankling of their past arguments made family gatherings uncomfortable.
  • His girlfriend's selfish behavior became a rankling issue in their relationship.
  • The rankling dispute over the budget did not seem to have an end in sight.

Translations

Translations of the word "rankling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irritante

🇮🇳 कष्टदायक

🇩🇪 ärgerlich

🇮🇩 menyakitkan

🇺🇦 дратівливий

🇵🇱 irytujący

🇯🇵 不快な

🇫🇷 agacant

🇪🇸 irritante

🇹🇷 rahatsız edici

🇰🇷 짜증나는

🇸🇦 مستفز

🇨🇿 irritující

🇸🇰 dráždivý

🇨🇳 令人恼火的

🇸🇮 nervirajoč

🇮🇸 óþægilegur

🇰🇿 қатты нервті

🇬🇪 აღიზიანებელი

🇦🇿 narahat edən

🇲🇽 irritante

Etymology

The word 'rankle' has its origins in the late Middle English word 'ranklen', which in turn derives from the Old French 'rancler', meaning 'to fester' or 'to have a sore'. This word can be traced back further to the Latin term 'dracular', which implies something that causes irritation or discomfort. Initially, 'rankle' was used in the context of physical pain, describing a wound that causes persistent discomfort. Over time, its usage expanded into the emotional realm, representing lingering feelings of resentment and irritation. The evolution of the term illustrates the connection between physical discomfort and emotional grievances, highlighting how the two can intertwine in human experience.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,563 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.