ruffle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rufflenext
1
as in flounce
a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge and used as trimming likes lace curtains without ruffles and chintz curtains with ruffles

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in thorn
something that is a source of irritation a spouse's snoring is one ruffle that many couples must eventually come to terms with

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ruffle

2 of 2

verb

ˈrə-fəl How to pronounce ruffle (audio)
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts the stream of minor complaints finally ruffled him into snapping, "If you don't like the way I'm doing it, do it yourself!"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ruffle
Noun
Zendaya layered the intricate lace piece, which was trimmed with giant ruffles, over a simple white tank and baggy low-rise jeans. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Oct. 2026 Our favorite dress picks have a variety of styles and versatile features, like darling ruffles, cinching waistlines, and trending silhouettes. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
Princess Margaret was known to ruffle a few feathers during her lifetime. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026 This is where Ford's crackdown has ruffled at least two local unions. — Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ruffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffle
  1. flounce
  2. thorn
  3. annoy
  4. edging
  5. headache
  6. irritate
  7. border
  8. nuisance
Noun
  • The asymmetrical dress featured a flowing flounce of silver chainmail.
    — Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 31 July 2026
  • With ruffle sleeves, a smocked empire waist, and a flounce skirt, this dress has the same luxe look as Kate’s.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
Definition of flounce
Noun
  • The Dodgers have been a thorn in the Brewers side, but this season feels a bit different.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Cue an enthralling chase sequence, doubling back through those higgledy-piggledy Portland streetscapes, toward the woods — the impenetrable thickets and thorns of which magically part in her presence.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorn
Verb
  • Returning the sarcasm tends to cause the same problem, with two people annoyed instead of one.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Williams is annoyed and wants order while Kirke is hardly paying attention and lugs vases of flowers through her home.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of annoy
Noun
  • The small, irregular pearls appeared around the armholes of a long and lean mesh dress, and as the delicate edging on a beautiful citron yellow flapper dress with sheer panels.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • After spending eight hours Sunday cutting, edging, shredding, digging and ripping at things in the yard and in the garage, my advice to younger readers is to invest in high-quality tools.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of edging
Noun
  • The biggest headache for Thune was the Save America Act, a voter ID bill that lacked a strategy to become law in the Senate.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In Meta’s case, creepy video-recording incidents and privacy-light tampering have caused severe headaches for the company.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of headache
Verb
  • Some develop in varicose veins; others form where a needle or IV has irritated a vein.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • So testing a movie that temporarily sounds irritating is really, really hard.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of irritate
Noun
  • Ukrainian drones killed a woman in a Russian border region and disrupted flights at Moscow's airports, according to Russian authorities.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • His income will be augmented by a deal to help control Haiti’s porous border with the Dominican Republic for the next 10 years in return for 10% of any new customs revenue collected.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of border
Noun
  • But a big cooler is one guest that can really crash and burn the party – a hard, bulky nuisance that's uncomfortable on or near the bed and unsecure outside the vehicle.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Attorneys for the Bloomfield group have argued that the building behind the Pyles does not create a nuisance.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuisance

Browse Nearby Words

ruffians
ruffle
ruffled
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Cite this Entry

“Ruffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffle. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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