Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

To "rankle" someone means to annoy or irritate them. This term often conveys the idea of a lingering soreness or resentment that continues to trouble or distress the person. It suggests that something has caused persistent discomfort or irritation, leading to emotional discontent. In everyday language, when a person's actions or words "rankle" another, it implies that the latter feels bothered or offended, often due to perceived injustices or unresolved issues. The context here emphasizes feelings of irritation as the defining characteristics of the term.