roil
roil Lexical Profile
roil Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To disturb, agitate, or throw into a state of disorder or turmoil.
"Unexpected interest rate hikes continued to roil the global financial markets throughout the week."
To make a liquid turbid or muddy by disturbing or stirring up its sediment.
"The heavy runoff from the thunderstorm began to roil the clear mountain stream."
To move in a turbulent, swirling, or churning manner (especially of water, clouds, or smoke).
"Dark storm clouds began to roil across the afternoon sky above the prairie."
• noun
A turbulent, swirling agitation or commotion, especially in water or liquid.
"The kayaker steered carefully around the sudden roil of water near the submerged rocks."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Roil' is frequently confused with 'rile'; while 'rile' specifically means to annoy or anger someone, 'roil' originally means to make a liquid muddy by stirring up sediment, and by extension to throw a market, crowd, or situation into turmoil.
• Rhymes for roil
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating to the late 16th century, 'roil' is likely borrowed from Old French 'roillier', meaning to roll, muddle, or mix mortar, ultimately tracing back to Vulgar Latin.