roil

verb

ˈrȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce roil (audio)
 transitive sense 2 is also  ˈrī(-ə)l
roiled; roiling; roils

transitive verb

1
a
: to make turbid by stirring up the sediment or dregs of
b
: to stir up : disturb, disorder
2

intransitive verb

: to move turbulently : be in a state of turbulence or agitation
conflicting emotions roiling inside her

Examples of roil in a Sentence

Financial markets have been roiled by the banking crisis. the waters of the gulf tossed and roiled as the hurricane surged toward the shore
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.
Polls in 2024 show a close contest that – as with Trump's two previous presidential races – has been roiled by Trump's rallies, including the very last week. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024 And North Korea’s increasingly bellicose attitude toward its neighbors has roiled China’s diplomatic and economic relations with South Korea and Japan. Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024 Protests over the ongoing war in Gaza roiled college campuses this election season and, amid the blowback, the Biden-Harris administration has netted criticism from young voters over its handling of the crisis. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024 Middle East conflict still roils energy markets, just not as much Prices surged briefly this month after Iran sent missiles into Israel, but many experts see the Israeli response over the weekend as measured, potentially ending a cycle of retaliatory strikes from each side, at least for now. Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for roil 

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of roil was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near roil

Cite this Entry

“Roil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roil. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

roil

verb
ˈrȯi(ə)l How to pronounce roil (audio)
 sense 2 is also  ˈrī(ə)l
1
: to make cloudy or muddy by stirring up
roil the water of a brook
2
: to rouse the anger of

More from Merriam-Webster on roil

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