galling

adjective

gall·​ing ˈgȯ-liŋ How to pronounce galling (audio)
Synonyms of gallingnext
: markedly irritating : vexing
a most galling defeat
gallingly
ˈgȯ-liŋ-lē How to pronounce galling (audio)
adverb

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of galling in a Sentence

This is a galling defeat. her holier-than-thou attitude is galling
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead, Swift’s performance became just a footnote on one of the most galling losses in franchise history — 18-15 on a final-play Hail Mary. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2024 This Week: ‘Abbott Elementary’ and ‘The Good Doctor’ In China, Deepfakes of ‘Russian’ Women Point to ‘Nationalistic Sexism’ Word of the Day: galling NYT Spelling Bee Answers for May 20, 2024 Today’s Wordle Answer for May 20, 2024 ¿Es mejor entrenar por la mañana o por la noche? —New York Times, 20 May 2024 Which brings us to the most galling mystery of the season: How on earth does this preening man-child get engaged? —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2024 This fiction will be galling to some people, but deeply reassuring to others. —Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for galling 

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of gall entry 2

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of galling was in 1583

Dictionary Entries Near galling

galliney

galling

gallinipper

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Galling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galling. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

galling

adjective
gall·​ing ˈgȯ-liŋ How to pronounce galling (audio)
: very irritating : vexing

More from Merriam-Webster on galling

Nglish: Translation of galling for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of galling for Arabic Speakers

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