ruffle

[ruhf-uhl] / ˈrʌf əl /

VERB

mess up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dishevel rumple

STRONG

cockle confuse crease crinkle crumple crush derange disarrange discompose disorder pucker purse rifle tangle tousle wrinkle

Antonyms

STRONG

calm open order organize smooth straighten

WEAK

soothe

VERB

upset, irritate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annoy disturb irk rattle

STRONG

abrade agitate anger bluster bother browbeat bully chafe confuse cow disconcert disquiet excite floor flummox flurry fluster fret fuddle gall harass intimidate nettle peeve perturb provoke stir stump torment trouble unsettle vex wear worry

WEAK

get to put off put out rattle one's cage shake up throw into tizzy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

appease please soothe

STRONG

aid assist calm cheer clear up comfort compose delight encourage explain help leave alone lull make happy order pacify quiet settle tranquilize

WEAK

smooth

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.

Shriver has become known for ruffling feathers, but it wasn’t always so.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her favorite ruffled apron pulls across her squat frame.

From Literature

Daniel wasn’t a basilisk, didn’t have the right kind of webbed feet, definitely didn’t have a neck ruffle thing.

From Literature

Rachel has already admitted she is "nervous" that Fiona could "ruffle a few feathers" - especially as she voted out traitor Hugo on Friday's episode.

From BBC

“I didn’t see anything that signaled real ruffled feathers,” said John Feeley, a former U.S. ambassador to Panama.

From The Wall Street Journal

ruffle

Example Sentences

Related Words