Showing results for ruffled feathers.

ruffled feathers

NOUN

offense

Synonyms

WEAK

affront aggression assailment assault attack battery black eye blitz blitzkrieg dig dirty dig dudgeon harm hit huff hurt indignation indignity injury injustice left-handed compliment miff mugging onset onslaught outrage pique push put-down resentment slam slap in the face slight snub umbrage zinger

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That approach ruffled feathers across the sport, as detractors argued that the offseason shopping spree was against the spirit of college sports—a bridge too far even in the wild west of today’s NCAA.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

This ruffled feathers in a way none of her previous campaigns had, and the pushback she received only fed her beliefs about vast conspiracies.

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

If these sources are coming from inside Meta, it is a sign of ruffled feathers both inside and outside the new lab.

From Barron's • Dec. 10, 2025

Another claim by the state department of archaeology that has ruffled feathers is that the graffiti found on artefacts in Keeladi is similar to that found in the Indus Valley sites.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2025

Says the man ain’t got many friends ’cause he don’t have no idea that a good lie tolt at the right time can go a long way to soothing folks’ ruffled feathers.

From "The Journey of Little Charlie" by Christopher Paul Curtis