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ruffle

[ruhf-uhl] / ˈrʌf əl /




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.

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Roy interjected with the mischievous smirk typical of a younger brother trying to ruffle some feathers.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 15, 2026

Despite hand-wringing over the risk that travellers will baulk at paying higher fares, the ongoing war did not appear to ruffle feathers at the International Air Transport Association's annual conference in Rio, which ends Monday.

From Barron's Jun. 8, 2026

Data centers serve that purpose nicely: Like all large-scale building projects, they ruffle local feathers; and their purpose, unlike an airport or a shopping center, requires explanation and so lends itself to conspiratorial Facebook posting.

From The Wall Street Journal May 20, 2026

"Unfortunately, you do have to ruffle some feathers to really make a massive change in the sport, especially one like fencing that is so traditional," says Chamley-Watson.

From BBC Apr. 23, 2026

He’d stick his hand in my hair and ruffle up the already-tangled curls with a laugh.

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender

Lyons had ruffled feathers by flipping an organizational chart upside down at a sales meeting and urging the sales force to challenge conventional wisdom.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 23, 2026

He suggests of loudcasting that "in two years' time we're not going to worry about it", and that those ruffled by it will be more tolerant while offenders modify their behaviour somewhat.

From BBC Aug. 5, 2026

Cheaper and faster models coming from developers in China -- particularly from DeepSeek and Moonshot -- have ruffled feathers, and raised concerns about intellectual property theft, in the US.

From Barron's Jul. 22, 2026

Although she was dressed in a ruffled, all-white dress, they thankfully did not get married on the spot.

From Salon Jun. 12, 2026

The tallest girl in the sixth grade, wearing a ruffled party dress with bows.

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia

It’s gliding along the water, occasionally changing direction or ruffling its feathers.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

He has enjoyed ruffling feathers during his time at Holyrood.

From BBC Mar. 22, 2026

President Donald Trump has a way of ruffling feathers.

From Barron's Jan. 23, 2026

Big Bear’s beloved eagle couple Jackie and Shadow could be getting dozens of new neighbors, ruffling the feathers of advocates who say it will disturb the endangered raptors.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 10, 2025

The feel of the wind ruffling my fur!

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth




Vocabulary lists containing ruffle


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