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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
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!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruffle
Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
Bubble hems are still trending and well-suited for the younger crowd, as are ruffles, bold florals, polka dots and anything else that feels fresh for the new season.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Below, some of the finest, high-quality ruffled bedding around the web for creating the frothy bedscape of your daydreams.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruffle
Noun
The playful pleated ruffle hem adds a flirty, eye-catching detail—and helps prevent the fabric from riding up.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
Bubble hems are still trending and well-suited for the younger crowd, as are ruffles, bold florals, polka dots and anything else that feels fresh for the new season.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
The stunt ruffled more than a few feathers, with surveillance photos of the incident showing Fairbarn allegedly entering the habitat and roughly grabbing the bird by its legs.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Below, some of the finest, high-quality ruffled bedding around the web for creating the frothy bedscape of your daydreams.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruffle
Noun
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The size of the flounce can also dictate the messaging.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
28 Feb. 2026
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When Hyacinth flounces off to check the hall, Eloise hot on her trail, Sophie begs for a moment of Violet’s time.—
Christina Grace Tucker,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Odor is a botanical defense mechanism as much as thistles and thorns.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
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The spirit of the endeavor can forgive a lot, with some clumsy filmmaking that doesn’t seem to be an intentional homage, such as a slapdash set-up to Helen’s murderous ways and a slightly tacked-on feeling opening involving a film critic who has been a thorn in Jack’s side.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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More traditional Bachelor Nation fans annoyed by the influencer-ification of reality TV already considered Paul the death knell for the franchise even before the recent scandal.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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While nobody at Netflix has suggested that the Sussexes violated any of the terms of their agreement, which allows the couple to engage in projects in other arenas and participate in interviews for other distribution outlets, many at the streamer were annoyed by the lack of communication.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Depending on the thickness of the steel chosen, the edging can last from 20 to 25 years.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
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Creeping phlox is a great choice for edging, rock walls, or slopes, and will brighten any garden with its abundance of cheerful pastel blooms.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Raise massive capital, hire hundreds of people, build a sprawling department for every operational headache — from VAT compliance in Marseille to sourcing logistics in Shenzhen.—
Kuo Zhang,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
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However, despite Roy often being a headache for House GOP leadership, many MAGA Republicans still recognize Roy as a conservative fighter.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While it’s powered by retinol, an ingredient known to be irritating, this treats my under-eye with care.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
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All these questions started to irritate him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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William is sent on a spy-adjacent mission by Captain Ezekiel Richardson that takes him through Great Dismal Swamp on the North Carolina–Virginia border, where he promptly gets lost and seriously injured until Ian, who is working as a liaison with the Native tribes, comes upon him.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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Deportees, half of whom were minors, had their passports seized and were locked up for months in a rural detention facility near the Panama border, an incident that fueled lawsuits and accusations of human rights abuses.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Pollution was legally viewed as a local nuisance – the unavoidable price of progress.—
Ella Whitman,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2026
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Quantum measurement disturbance, ordinarily a nuisance, would serve as a shield against prying eyes.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruffle. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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