GALLS Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

galls

verb

present tense third-person singular of gall

as in wears

to damage or diminish by continued friction move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in bothers

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts humming through your nose like that absolutely galls me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in irritates

to make sore by continued rubbing tie your shoes so they don't gall your heels sliding on and off like that

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of galls What galls them is Toberoff’s tooth-and-nail negotiations and his insistence on becoming a producer himself, complete with credit and fees. — Tom Dotan, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026 What especially galls Marion is having eight touchdowns called back this season. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for galls

Verb

The juror sitting closest to the Shakur family wears a dark suit and tie to court every day.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Three weeks of racing before Tadej Pogačar wears the red jersey on the final podium in Granada.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of wears

Verb

That sequencing bothers people who’ve spent careers being told that data systems need privacy protections designed in, not bolted on after a scandal.

— Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Kurt's key takeaways What bothers me most about this scam is that criminals are going after people who may have the fewest options to protect themselves.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bothers

Verb

With contact dermatitis, a product like a soap or chemical irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms like itching, discoloration, swelling, or even blisters.

— Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
The capsaicin in hot peppers irritates pests and deters them from feeding on plants.

— Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Definition of irritates

Verb

However, 10 minutes of heart is hardly enough to save a 97-minute movie, as any hope for a satisfying experience erodes in the 87 minutes that precede it.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Almost 30 years of pursuit not only erodes the bonds within the local community but mirror the fate of a whole nation, leaving everyone to reflect on their own personal responsibility.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of erodes

Verb

But as his guitar scratches away at Stewart’s velvet synths and glances off Mitchell’s drums, sing Reilly does.

— Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
Preparing for a college football Saturday with ACC Network scratches the same gameplanning itch for Fisher that used to take up his time during his more than three decades as a coach.

— David Ubben, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of scratches

Verb

Conjuring the troubled inner life of a young, successful Buenos Aires fashion designer with an uncommon mix of stylistic rigor and feeling, the film frays your nerves.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
The coalition of supporters frays Still another issue is conflict within the legalization movement itself, particularly between the business and activist wings.

— William Garriott, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026

Definition of frays

Browse Nearby Words

gallows birds

galls

galoot

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Galls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/galls. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of galls

verb

Example Sentences

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