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

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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

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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
My favorite part of this dress is the sweet ruffle hem that gives it a feminine touch. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026 Finally, Sweeney—blindingly blond—arrived, wearing SYRN’s Date Night Satin Corset in Dew Me blue and Cowgirl Crush lace-ruffle miniskirt. — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
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 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
  • More recently, Hannah Hidalgo has been a thorn in the Huskies’ sides, though UConn got past ND in the Elite Eight last March.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Oil, which in recent weeks has been a thorn in the stock market's side, provided the first source of relief Monday.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of thorn
Verb
  • What annoys me is that this whole thing is called Roaring 20th, so why was there not a flapper and Great Gatsby theme?
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Coach Rhett Lashlee was already annoyed with special teams coming into the game, and that was before the Mustangs botched two PAT attempts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 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 usual symptoms include high fever, headache, stiffness and an overall feeling that resembles the flu.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Budget cuts The unrest is adding to a major political headache for the government, which is about to start tough budget negotiations against a backdrop of division and economic turmoil.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of headache
Verb
  • The first step to brighter-looking underarms is figuring out what might be irritating them in the first place.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Another person may approach the goal differently, which could be useful rather than irritating.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of irritate
Noun
  • The remains, discovered at a Greek border area 60 years ago, were flown to the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, aboard a military aircraft that was escorted by Bulgarian air force fighter jets from the country's border with Greece.
    — COSTAS KANTOURIS, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • What starts as a brief encounter blossoms into a romance that transcends national borders.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of border
Noun
  • For homeowners who have spent decades building equity, failing windows are more than a nuisance.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Legal experts on the other side question the notion that a public nuisance can be defined so broadly to include both the sale of a legal product and the impact on carbon pollution, much of it coming from China and India.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuisance

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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 9 Oct. 2026.

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