Found 2 items, similar to rankle.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: rankle rankle v : gnaw into; make resentful or angry; “The unjustice rankled her”; “his resentment festered” [syn: eat into, fret, grate]
English → English (gcide) Definition: Rankle Rankle \Ran"kle\ (r[a^][ng]"k'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rankled (-k'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Rankling (-kl[i^]ng).] [From Rank, a.] 1. To become, or be, rank; to grow rank or strong; to be inflamed; to fester; -- used literally and figuratively. [1913 Webster] A malady that burns and rankles inward. --Rowe. [1913 Webster] This would have left a rankling wound in the hearts of the people. --Burke. [1913 Webster] 2. To produce a festering or inflamed effect; to cause a sore; -- used literally and figuratively; as, a splinter rankles in the flesh; the words rankled in his bosom. [1913 Webster] Rankle \Ran"kle\ (r[a^][ng]"k'l), v. t. To cause to fester; to make sore; to inflame. [R.] --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]