galling

1 of 2

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

galling

2 of 2

present participle of gall entry 2

Synonyms of galling

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Adjective

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Examples of galling in a Sentence

Adjective This is a galling defeat. her holier-than-thou attitude is galling
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
The repetition should feel especially galling since the team already earned its promotion last week, making the climax of this week’s match just getting butts in seats. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026 Among the many glaring issues coming out of the opener, the offense’s inability to sustain drives was particularly galling. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 But that sympathy can’t quite make up for the galling fact of Nelson’s sons, now teenagers stuck in limbo as a father figure stubbornly insists on courting further ruin. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 There were surrendered leads against Chelsea in the 2008-09 FA Cup final and, perhaps more galling, against a weaker-than-usual Liverpool side in a 2011-12 FA Cup semi-final. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for galling

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of gall entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1583, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of galling was in 1583

Rhymes for galling

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Browse Nearby Words

galliney
galling
gallinipper
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Cite this Entry

“Galling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galling. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

galling

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