Meaning & Definition of word "Rankle"
to
Rankle
/ˈræŋ.kəl/
verb:
- 1. to cause annoyance, irritation, or resentment that persists.
- Example: Her comments about my work continue to rankle me.
- 2. to have a lasting painful or irritating effect.
- Example: The unfair decision ranks up and lingers in his mind.
- 3. to cause someone to feel angry or bitter.
- Example: It rankled him to see her succeed after all the hard work he had put in.
- 4. to feel or cause to feel resentment or annoyance.
- Example: The way he was treated at the meeting continued to rankle her.
Etymology
Middle English 'ranclen', possibly of Latin origin from 'dranculus', meaning 'to fester'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
rankle with someone:
To irritate or annoy someone.
rankle in memory:
To remain in memory as a source of irritation or resentment.
Related Words
irritate:
To cause displeasure or annoyance.
resent:
To feel bitterness or indignation at having been treated unfairly.
vex:
To bring trouble, distress, or agitation.
Slang Meanings of rankle
Meaning: To get on someone's nerves.
Example Sentence: That constant noise will really rankle me.
Meaning: To stew over something.
Example Sentence: She was rankling over that comment for a week.