rankle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The defeat and the nature of it will rankle, especially because she was considered a serious challenger for the title.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

Choi plays him accurately enough to rankle his home country’s audience, and believably enough to earn the rapper new fans in the U.S. and elsewhere.

From Salon • Jan. 5, 2025

By the time Boyle was released in 1980, he had also become a bestselling author, - but the controversy over the special unit had started to rankle with elements of the Scottish public.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2024

Even the most powerful state can push things too far and rankle too many rivals.

From Slate • Jan. 16, 2024

I was proud of my sister, but that year, something began to rankle beneath the pride.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson