Dictionary Definition
rankle v : gnaw into; make resentful or angry;
"The unjustice rankled her"; "his resentment festered" [syn:
eat
into, fret, grate]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
First attested in 1320. From etyl fro rancler / raoncler from draoncle < etyl la dracunculus, diminutive of draco.Pronunciation
- /ˈræŋ.kəl/, /"r
Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words
afflict, aggravate, agonize, ail, anger, annoy, arouse, be remembered, bite, bother, break up, bristle, burn, canker, chafe, convulse, corrupt, crucify, crumble, crumble into dust,
cut, decay, decompose, disintegrate, distress, embitter, exasperate, excruciate, fall into decay,
fall to pieces, fester,
fret, gall, gangrene, get to, give pain,
gnaw, go bad, go to pieces,
grate, grind, gripe, harass, harrow, huff, hurt, incense, inflame, inflict pain, irk, irritate, kill by inches,
lacerate, make an
impression, martyr,
martyrize, matter, miff, mildew, mold, molder, mortify, necrose, nettle, never be forgotten,
nip, obsess, pain, peeve, penetrate, pierce, pinch, pique, plague, prick, prolong the agony, provoke, put to torture,
putrefy, putresce, rack, rasp, rile, ripen, roil, rot, rub, ruffle, run, set up, sink in, sphacelate, spoil, stab, sting, stir the blood, stir up,
suppurate, torment, torture, tweak, twist, upset, vex, weep, work up, wound, wring