ruffled

verb

Definition of rufflednext
past tense of ruffle
as in annoyed
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!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 ruffled The publication of the book, days before Blazy’s spring 2027 show at the Grand Palais, predictably ruffled some feathers at Chanel. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 Sydney Sweeney ruffled the feathers of some professional athletes when her ad for the sports trading app Novig dropped last week. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2026 This is where Ford's crackdown has ruffled at least two local unions. — Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 1 Sep. 2026 More than 35 years later, Cole Trickle’s new leading lady has ruffled some feathers for a previous Days of Thunder co-star. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2026 Similar to Musk’s past real estate projects in Texas, including towering metal gates around his West Lake Hills compound, the mogul’s latest venture has ruffled the feathers of some locals. — India Roby, Architectural Digest, 11 Aug. 2026 The top features ruffled cap sleeves and a flowy silhouette that can be easily paired with shorts in the summer and jeans as the weather cools down. — Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026 There is, however, evidence that this Spain team can be ruffled. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 July 2026 The flippy ruffled hem alone sets it apart, while a flattering drop waist adds to its airy silhouette. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffled
  1. annoyed
  2. irritated
  3. bothered
  4. bugged
  5. persecuted
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 annoyed
Verb
  • The episode confused and irritated the Red Sox, and following Saturday’s win starting pitcher Sonny Gray acknowledged that Alexander’s antics had provided the club with extra motivation.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The comments irritated Ilicali, who took to social media in response.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritated
Verb
  • This is a dense picture—there’s almost too much to unpack, if you can be bothered to care about any of it.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Being different has never bothered Dublin coach Roger Holmes.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bothered
Verb
  • And as the team moved into the couple’s guest house on their San Diego rental property, the filmmakers feared that the home was bugged and ordered a device to try to de-bug it, without success.
    — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • He’s bugged Jay — the two met online and married two years ago before opening their first restaurant last year — to make sure that includes his crispy duck panang curry.
    — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of bugged
Verb
  • Those governments provide assurances that people won’t be persecuted or tortured, federal attorneys said.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Also, some immigration cases involve people seeking asylum because they are being persecuted by a foreign government and releasing a person’s full name could be considered sensitive or even dangerous.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of persecuted

Browse Nearby Words

ruffle
ruffled
ruffles
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Cite this Entry

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

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