RUFFLES Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

ruffles 1 of 2

noun

plural of ruffle

as in flounces

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

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as in thorns

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ruffles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ruffle

as in annoys

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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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 ruffles

Noun

Featuring an off-the-shoulder neckline and flowing silhouette, the blue dress was crafted with semi-sheer fabric and a bevy of ruffles on at the hemline of the flowing skirt, accentuating the dress’ airy energy with even more feminine details. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 Adding a bit of texture like ruffles and feathers will give it a more editorial touch. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026 Zendaya appeared at the show in a white lace jacket with voluminous ruffles along the collar and down the sleeves. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2026 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 By the second week’s promotional events, pleats and ruffles came to the fore. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Mario Perez cheered from the curb as dancers in bright dresses twirled down the street Saturday afternoon, ribbons and ruffles flashing in the sun. — Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026 Volume and shape played a starring role as well, from bubble hems and layered ruffles to peplums and drop-waists. — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2026

Verb

Mama pats Rafa’s head then ruffles his hair. — Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 And Elon Musk’s AI power plant ruffles a Mississippi city. — David Hickey, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026 Luckily for the show, nothing ruffles the other women’s feathers more, so good television still ensues. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffles

Noun

For some, summer is about wearing lightweight bohemian pieces, like flowing blouses, voluminous dresses, a lots of frills and flounces.

— Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 28 June 2026
Prone to wearing clothes that suggest an overgrown pre-teen herself, all frills, flounces and bright colors, Martha doesn’t look like great maternal material to Claire, although this judgmental attitude may be evidence of her own maternal deficiencies.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026

Definition of flounces

Noun

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
Grace Carroll gives a poignant performance as the Nightingale—borne aloft with arched back and trembling, outstretched hands by other dancers, who play thorns that pierce her breast—and Adam Elmes makes a seductively sinister Dorian Gray.

— Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of thorns

Noun

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
Neurological symptoms, like persistent headaches, may also warrant seeing a doctor.

— Angelica Stabile , Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of headaches

Verb

Irwin is uncertain if the second infestation of bed bugs last weekend were ones that weren’t caught the first time, or if a person brought new bed bugs in.

— Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Not too much bugs him, but he sometimes is annoyed by his baby sister and doesn’t trust people who put pineapple on their pizza.

— Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of bugs

Noun

Located in a petite strip mall off I-75, the doughnut shop lacks frills but delights with an array of yeast and cake-style doughnuts.

— Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
The beautifully spacious production adds Depeche Mode synth burbles, Phil Spector-style girl-group castanets, and piano frills straight off an Abba record.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of frills

Noun

The rhetoric from Rogers and other Republicans about El-Sayed has added to those frustrations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
In July, antigovernment protests forced the resignation of the education minister over frustrations with the examination system.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrations

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“Ruffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffles. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ruffles

noun

verb

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