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Definitions

ruffled

[ruhf-uhld] / ˈrʌf əld /
ADJECTIVE
disconcerted
Synonyms
STRONG
annoyed bewildered distracted disturbed embarrassed fazed flustered nonplussed perturbed rattled thrown troubled unsettled unzipped upset
WEAK
caught off balance come apart in botheration messed-up mixed-up out of countenance psyched-out shook-up spaced-out taken aback unglued
Antonyms
STRONG
happy settled
WEAK
calm composed concerted soothed unworried
ADJECTIVE
disheveled
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bedraggled messy rumpled
STRONG
dirty disarranged disarrayed disordered tousled unbuttoned unzipped
WEAK
bagged out beat up blowzy frowzy grubby messed-up mussed-up mussy scuzzy slipshod sloppy slovenly uncombed unfastidious untidy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clean
STRONG
neat ordered
WEAK
orderly tidy unwrinkled
ADJECTIVE
disordered
Synonyms
STRONG
confused deranged disarranged discombobulated disconnected disjointed dislocated disorganized displaced jumbled mislaid misplaced moved muddled removed roiled rumpled shifted shuffled tangled tossed tousled tumbled unsettled
WEAK
all over the place discontinuous in confusion incoherent out of place stirred up tampered-with untidy
Antonyms
STRONG
clear coherent connected methodical neat ordered organized systematic
WEAK
arranged orderly systematized trim
ADJECTIVE
excited
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitated annoyed delighted disturbed eager enthusiastic hysterical nervous passionate thrilled
STRONG
animated aroused awakened charged discomposed disconcerted inflamed moved piqued provoked roused stimulated stirred wired
WEAK
aflame beside oneself feverish fired up frantic high hot hot and bothered hyperactive in a tizzy juiced up jumpy on edge on fire overwrought steamed up wild worked-up zipped up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathetic calm disinterested indifferent unenthusiastic unexcited
WEAK
bored composed easygoing laid-back unenthused uninspired
ADJECTIVE
nervous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid agitated annoyed apprehensive concerned edgy fussy hesitant hysterical irritable jittery jumpy shaky shy skittish spooked tense timid uneasy uptight volatile weak
WEAK
basket case bothered distressed disturbed excitable fidgety fitful flustered high-strung nervy neurotic on edge overwrought querulous restive sensitive shrinking snappish solicitous taut timorous troubled twitchy unrestful unstrung upset wired worried
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bold brave calm certain collected composed confident cool easygoing extroverted fearless firm happy laid-back sufficient sure unafraid uncaring unwavering unworried
WEAK
unnervous
ADJECTIVE
rough
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bumpy choppy coarse fuzzy harsh rocky rugged
STRONG
bearded broken chapped disheveled jagged ridged sharp tangled tousled wrinkled
WEAK
asperous brambly bristly bushy cragged craggy cross-grained hairy knobby knotty nodular not smooth scabrous scraggy shaggy stony tufted unequal unfinished unlevel unshaven unshorn woolly wrinkly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm courteous easy flat gentle mild nice polite refined smooth soft sophisticated
STRONG
neat ordered unwrinkled
WEAK
accurate complete definite even level moderate polished precise regular temperate
ADJECTIVE
shaggy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
furry long-haired
WEAK
hirsute ragged rough rugged uncombed unshorn
Antonyms
WEAK
kempt shaven smooth
ADJECTIVE
tousled
Synonyms
STRONG
dirty disarranged disheveled disordered rumpled tangled
WEAK
grubby messed-up messy mussed-up sloppy uncombed unkempt
Antonyms
STRONG
neat ordered orderly
WEAK
kempt
ADJECTIVE
troubled
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitated anxious bothered concerned confused distraught distressed disturbed frightened irritated pained plagued puzzled scared tormented tortured unsettled worried
STRONG
aggravated alarmed anguished annoyed beset chagrined discombobulated disconcerted displeased disquieted flustered harried harrowed inconvenienced irked miffed mortified perplexed perturbed pestered provoked riled shaken terrified upset vexed
WEAK
afraid apprehensive fearful in a tizzy overwrought put out uneasy worried stiff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm certain comforted content happy sure unconcerned untroubled unworried
STRONG
pleased
WEAK
at ease balanced collected composed cool peaceful quiet sane settled sound
ADJECTIVE
turbulent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bitter bumpy choppy fierce rough stormy swirling tempestuous unstable violent
WEAK
agitated blustering blustery boiling coarse confused destructive disordered disturbed foaming furious howling inclement moiling noisy restless riotous roaring rugged stirred up stormful storming thunderous tremulous tumultuous wild
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm gentle kind mild moderate nice peaceful smooth
WEAK
manageable obedient settled stable
ADJECTIVE
upset
Synonyms
STRONG
agitated amazed blue capsized confused disconcerted dismayed disordered disquieted distressed dragged grieved hurt ill low muddled overturned rattled shocked sick spilled thrown toppled troubled tumbled unsettled unzipped worried
WEAK
all torn up antsy apprehensive broken up bummed out chaotic come apart frantic in disarray jittery jumpy overwrought psyched-out put out shook-up tipped over unglued upside-down
Antonyms
STRONG
calm clean collected comforted composed content decent happy healthy joyful methodical moral ordered organized pleased settled sound strong systematic untroubled unworried well
WEAK
undisturbed

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.

This ruffled feathers in a way none of her previous campaigns had, and the pushback she received only fed her beliefs about vast conspiracies.

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

Rose Byrne, who is up for best actress for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, wore a long cream and silver dress with a ruffled hemline.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

“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 • Jan. 5, 2026

If these sources are coming from inside Meta, it is a sign of ruffled feathers both inside and outside the new lab.

From Barron's • Dec. 10, 2025

These thoughts calmed Pax and he dozed with the memory of Peter’s knuckles kneading the loose skin between his shoulder blades so real that his fur ruffled under it.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker