galling (ˈɡɔːlɪŋ
)
Definitions
adjective
- irritating, exasperating, or bitterly humiliating
- obsolete rubbing painfully; chafing
Alternative Forms
ˈgallingly adverbSynonyms
View thesaurus entry2gall2 (ɡɔːl)
Definitions
noun
- a sore on the skin caused by chafing
- something that causes vexation or annoyance ⇒
a gall to the spirits
- irritation; exasperation
verb
- pathology to abrade (the skin, etc) as by rubbing
- (tr) to irritate or annoy; vex
Word Origin
C14: of Germanic origin; related to Old English gealla sore on a horse, and perhaps to gallC14: of Germanic origin; related to Old English sore on a horse, and perhaps to 1Synonyms
View thesaurus entry=
irritation,
bother,
harassment,
pest,
nuisance,
provocation,
annoyance,
irritant,
exasperation,
aggravation,
vexation,
botheration,
=
annoy,
provoke,
irritate,
aggravate,
get,
trouble,
bother,
disturb,
plague,
madden,
ruffle,
exasperate,
nettle,
vex,
displease,
irk,
rile,
peeve,
get under your skin get on your nerves
nark,
get up your nose give someone grief make your blood boil piss you off
rub up the wrong way,
get on your wick get your back up put your back up hack you off
Usage examples
In view of all of this extracurricular activity, my cock's unremitting flaccidity in my wife's presence is especially galling.
, LOVE YOU MADLY (2002)That is why the pace at which the Indo-US dialogue between Jaswant Singh and Strobe Talbott is proceeding is particularly galling.
India Today (1999)Even more galling , the couple chose to release the announcement through the website of People magazine, Who's US cousin.
The Australian (2005)Hasselbaink's fifth goal against West Ham this season, his 23rd in total, was by far the most galling.
Glasgow Herald (2002)There could be but one reason for a restraint which he found so galling - Aunt Ben's money.
, Kitty O'Shea - The Story of Katharine Parnell (1989)