i Register
In some senses, rankle is marked as rare. Watch for register when choosing this word.
verb
To cause irritation, bitterness or acrimony.
My colleague's gratuitous criticism still rankles with me.
[…] and the alliance which was dictated by sound policy, by family ties, and by just fear of England's sea power, was further assured to France by recent and still existing injuries that must continue to rankle with Spain. […]
To fester.
a splinter rankles in the flesh
But yet the cause and root of all his ill, Inward corruption and infected sin, Not purg'd nor heald, behind remained still, And festring sore did rankle yet within […]
noun
A festering, embittering object or condition, either mental, or a physical sore or ulcer.
To this the Prince appeared to acquiesce; but I saw it did not please, and left a rankle in his mind.