bristled; bristling
ˈbris-liŋ 
ˈbri-sə-
1
: to furnish with short stiff coarse hairs or filaments : to furnish with bristles
1
a
: to rise and stand stiffly erect
quills bristling
b
: to raise the bristles (as in anger)
a snarling, bristling dog
2
: to take on an aggressively defensive attitude (as in response to a slight or criticism)
he bristled at the accusations of corruption
3
a
: to be full of or covered with especially something suggestive of bristles
roofs bristled with chimneys
b
: to be full of something specified
book bristles with detail and irony—
W. J. Broad
W. J. BroadSynonyms
Examples of bristle in a Sentence
Noun
a face covered with bristles
the bristles of a brush
Verb
Electricity makes your hair bristle.
a recent college grad thrilled to be starting a new life in a city bristling with possibilities
Recent Examples on the Web
Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 16 Sep. 2024
Editor's tip: The large, fluffy brush on one end has exactly double the number of bristles on the other.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 20 Oct. 2024
Mick Krever, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024
The contributions demonstrate how Musk, who has personally bristled at government regulations, is expanding his political influence network to include a potential future president and members of Congress.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bristle 
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Noun
The cleanser itself contains aloe and coconut oil, which will leave bristles soft and flexible.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 16 Sep. 2024
Editor's tip: The large, fluffy brush on one end has exactly double the number of bristles on the other.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 20 Oct. 2024
Verb
His defense minister and longtime political tormentor Yoav Gallant has bristled at that goal.
—Mick Krever, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024
The contributions demonstrate how Musk, who has personally bristled at government regulations, is expanding his political influence network to include a potential future president and members of Congress.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bristle
Dictionary Entries Near bristle
Cite this Entry
“Bristle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bristle. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bristle
1 of 2 noun
bris·tle
ˈbris-əl
: a short stiff hair or something like a hair
bristled
adjective
-əld
bristly
adjective
-(ə-)lē
bristle
2 of 2 verb
bristled; bristling
-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to rise up and stiffen like bristles
makes your hair bristle
quills bristling in all directions
2
: to show signs of anger
bristled at the insult
3
: to appear as if covered with bristles
a harbor bristling with the masts of ships
bristly
adjective
-(ə-)lē
Medical Definition
bristle
noun
bris·tle
ˈbris-əl
: a short stiff coarse hair or filament
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