ruffle
1 of 3verb
ruf·fle ˈrə-fəl 
ruffled; ruffling ˈrə-f(ə-)liŋ
transitive verb
1
a
: roughen, abrade
b
: trouble, vex
is not ruffled by such barbs
Bruce Anderson
Bruce Anderson2
: to erect in or like a ruff : to cause to rise or bristle
a bird ruffling its feathers
3
a
: to flip through
ruffle the pages of a book
b
: shuffle
4
: to make into a ruffle
intransitive verb
: to become ruffled
their dispositions ruffle perceptibly Life
Liferuffle
2 of 3noun (1)
1
: commotion, brawl
2
: a state or cause of irritation
3
a
: a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge
b
: ruff entry 2 sense 2
4
: an unevenness or disturbance of surface : ripple
ruffly
ˈrə-f(ə-)lē
adjective ruffle
3 of 3noun (2)
: a low vibrating drumbeat less loud than a roll
Synonyms
Verb
- aggravate
- annoy
- bother
- bug
- burn (up)
- chafe
- eat
- exasperate
- frost
- gall
- get
- grate
- gripe
- hack (off)
- irk
- irritate
- itch
- nark [British]
- nettle
- peeve
- persecute
- pique
- put out
- rasp
- rile
- spite
- vex
Noun (1)
- flounce
- frill
- furbelow
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb Her hair was ruffled by the wind. He ruffled some people with his constant complaining.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English ruffelen; akin to Low German ruffelen to crumple
Noun (2)
ruff a drumbeat
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun (1)
1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1694, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing ruffle
Kids Definition
ruffle 1 of 2
verb
ruf·fle ˈrə-fəl
ruffled; ruffling
1
: to move or lift so as to disturb the smoothness of
The waters of Bird Lake were ruffled by the strong, mighty wind … E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan
E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan2
: trouble entry 2 sense 1, vex You're so calm. Nothing ever ruffles you.
ruffle
2 of 2noun
: a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge
ruffles 1 of 2
noun
1
as in flounces
a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge and used as trimming likes lace curtains without ruffles and chintz curtains with ruffles Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- flounces
- edgings
- frills
- trims
- pleats
- furbelows
- fringes
- borders
- ruffs
- plaits
- skirtings
- buntings
2
as in thorns
something that is a source of irritation a spouse's snoring is one ruffle that many couples must eventually come to terms with Synonyms & Similar Words
- thorns
- headaches
- rubs
- worries
- nuisances
- frustrations
- hair shirts
- irritants
- irks
- insults
- inconveniences
- problems
- annoyances
- pinpricks
- exasperations
- bothers
- peeves
- pests
- menaces
- upsets
- botherations
- trials
- anxieties
- vexations
- aggravations
- aggros
- fleabites
- bugbears
- burdens
- crosses
- hassles
- affronts
- discomforts
- curses
- annoyers
- troubles
- sores
- pet peeves
- offenses
- offenders
- plagues
- albatrosses
- millstones
- albatross
- pandora's boxes
- disturbers
- offences
- predicaments
- mischiefs
- plights
- tribulations
- harassers
- hang-ups
- afflictions
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pleasures
- joys
- delights
ruffles
2 of 2verb
as in bugs
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts the stream of minor complaints finally ruffled him into snapping, "If you don't like the way I'm doing it, do it yourself!" Synonyms & Similar Words
- bugs
- annoys
- irritates
- bothers
- nettles
- persecutes
- gets
- frosts
- eats
- grates
- aggravates
- riles
- chafes
- itches
- teases
- insults
- rasps
- infuriates
- gripes
- exasperates
- irks
- worries
- angers
- spites
- galls
- piques
- provokes
- peeves
- wears on
- narks
- sticks in one's craw
- sets one's teeth on edge
- upsets
- vexes
- plagues
- gets to
- offends
- burns (up)
- rubs the wrong way
- nags
- puts out
- outrages
- devils
- ballyrags
- enrages
- gets one's goat
- bullyrags
- disquiets
- gets on one's nerves
- distresses
- heckles
- unsettles
- harasses
- agitates
- enflames
- hacks (off)
- baits
- hassles
- inflames
- harries
- antagonizes
- maddens
- undoes
- frets
- rouses
- perturbs
- rankles
- roils
- exercises
- discomposes
- badgers
- affronts
- hagrides
- incenses
- discomforts
- unhinges
- pesters
- freaks (out)
- miffs
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- delights
- pleases
- mollifies
- gratifies
- obliges
- conciliates
- contents
- cheers
- propitiates
- comforts
- satisfies
- gladdens
- placates
- pacifies
- appeases
- soothes
- consoles
- quiets
- assures
- reassures
- solaces