Rankle

To rankle means to cause persistent annoyance or resentment. It describes a feeling of festering anger, bitterness, or irritation that lingers over time, often stemming from perceived unfairness, insult, or slight. The impact can be a slow burn of resentment that slowly builds into a larger problem. Rankling feelings can deeply affect someone's state of mind, their relationships and their behaviour. The process of rankling is not immediate but builds gradually. It can be mental or emotional, manifesting as difficulty moving past an event or comment. It also can become evident in one's actions and how one acts towards others, like a constant nagging pain in one’s psyche.

Rankle meaning with examples

• The insensitive comment from his boss continued to rankle him for days, leaving him feeling undervalued and disrespected. He struggled to focus on his work due to this irritation. He found himself constantly replaying the conversation in his mind.
• The constant criticism and belittling from her mother began to rankle deep within her. The wounds festered for years. She became distant, and even now in adulthood, it still causes conflict, even if she tries to move on.
• The politician's broken promises started to rankle with the electorate, leading to decreasing support and eventual electoral defeat. The perception of being misled, of a breach of trust, built feelings that led to political failure.
• Being passed over for promotion yet again began to rankle her, and eventually she started looking for another job opportunity. The perceived lack of recognition for her hard work created a sense of bitterness and disappointment.
• The repeated delays in getting her insurance claim approved began to rankle her. These continued issues created more stress and worry. It became a source of frustration and anger, as she was paying monthly.