roil

American  

[roil] / rɔɪl /

verb (used with object)

1. to render (water, wine, etc.) turbid by stirring up sediment.

2. to disturb or disquiet; irritate; vex.

   to be roiled by a delay.

   Synonyms:

   rile, provoke, exasperate, ruffle, fret, annoy

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verb (used without object)

1. to move or proceed turbulently.

roil British  

/ rɔɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to make (a liquid) cloudy or turbid by stirring up dregs or sediment

2. (intr) (esp of a liquid) to be agitated or disturbed

3. dialect (intr) to be noisy or boisterous

4. (tr) another word (now rare) for rile

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Other Word Forms

• unroiled adjective

Etymology

Origin of roil

First recorded in 1580–90; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

The longer the strait remains closed, the more it will roil the global economy and boost gas prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

My voice is clear, my words on point, and the slush that was roiling in my gut has settled.

From Literature

The surface bubbled and roiled, as if battered by sudden rapids.

From Literature

Eurozone finance ministers raised expectations for higher prices and lowered them for economic growth this year as the Iran war continues to roil energy markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Eurozone finance ministers raised expectations for higher prices and lowered them for economic growth this year as the Iran war continues to roil energy markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• muddy
• rile
• stir