rankle
UK: ˈræŋk(ə)l | US: ˈræŋk(ə)l
vi. to cause persistent irritation or resentment
vt. to make someone feel angry or upset over time
The word "rankle" traces back to Old French rancler (to fester), derived from rancle (a festering sore), which itself comes from Latin dracunculus (little serpent), referencing the lingering pain of a snakebite. Over time, "rankle" evolved metaphorically to describe emotional irritation that festers like a wound. The morpheme rank preserves the original sense of decay or corruption, while -le acts as a frequentative suffix, emphasizing prolonged irritation.
His harsh words continued to rankle her long after the argument.
The unfair decision rankled the team for the entire season.
Small injustices can rankle more deeply than major slights.
She tried to ignore the criticism, but it rankled in her mind.
The memory of that failure still rankles him decades later.