bridle

1 of 2

noun

bri·​dle ˈbrī-dᵊl How to pronounce bridle (audio)
1
: the headgear with which a horse is governed and which carries a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 2a) and reins
2
: a length of line or cable attached to two parts of something (such as a ship) to spread the force of a pull
especially : rigging on a kite for attaching line
3
: curb, restraint
set a bridle on his power

bridle

2 of 2

verb

bridled; bridling ˈbrīd-liŋ How to pronounce bridle (audio)
ˈbrī-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to put a harness with which a horse is governed on the head of : to put a bridle (see bridle entry 1 sense 1) on
bridle a horse
2
: to restrain, check, or control with or as if with a bridle
bridle your tongue
was forced to bridle her anger

intransitive verb

: to show hostility or resentment (as to an affront to one's pride or dignity) especially by drawing back the head and chin
military commanders who had bridled against … interferenceTime
Choose the Right Synonym for bridle

restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back from or control in doing something.

restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Examples of bridle in a Sentence

Verb try to bridle your criticism next time so that it is helpful and not hurtful
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The interior features Recaro touring seats finished in tobacco bridle leather, with unique rear seats inspired by the Type 928. Michael Van Runkle, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 An exception would be this bridle leather belt from Tory Leather, which sports a gold-tone brass fastening in the shape of a spur. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 2024 Trump trial 'not a political rally': judge Trump’s two civil cases featured judges chiding the former president for speaking out of turn or digressing in his responses, while Trump bridles against restrictions. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 The object in question was a twelve-foot taxidermy crocodile wearing a saddle and bridle, its long mouth open in an evil grin. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 9 Nov. 2023 Beijing, meanwhile, views the U.S. as a waning power bent on containing China’s rise, and bridles at growing U.S. unofficial cooperation with Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Nov. 2023 Union forces took some of the Confederate horses along with their bridles and saddles. Randy McCrory, Arkansas Online, 3 Aug. 2023 The right of way officially applies only to movement; paths are for walking (and bridle ways for riding), not for camping or picnicking or drawing or hula-hooping. Brooke Jarvis, New York Times, 26 July 2023 And that’s why its local craftspeople were posted on the narrow streets hand-making orecchiette, weaving straw baskets, working leather into bridles, and even carving children’s toys out of cactus leaves. Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 9 July 2023
Verb
During Donald Trump’s presidency, residents bridled at California’s pandemic restrictions, much as Trump did. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Cabinet ministers bridled at his criticism of their immigration policy. Mark Landler, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2023 Though some Chinese people may find Xi’s conservative and nationalist values appealing, the segments of the population that do see beyond the firewall, or that have grown accustomed to a more open environment, are likely to bridle. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2023 But Thaksin’s grip loosened following May’s general election, when his Pheu Thai party was bested by the upstart Move Forward Party, which secured 38% of the vote with its radical agenda to bridle the nation’s military and monarchy. Charlie Campbell, Time, 22 Aug. 2023 And her son bridled at having to share personal information that Chavez needed in order to apply. Selene Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2023 The lack of opposition is a measure of how fearful policymakers are that European consumers and businesses will bridle at shouldering the suddenly astronomical energy costs, ushering in social unrest and political chaos, as well as a recession. Matina Stevis-Gridneff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2022 Ramaswamy, who bridles at corporations branding themselves as socially conscious, stepped down as chief executive. Steven Mufson, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Apr. 2023 In earlier studies of dental remains, researchers found that humans drank horse milk and used bits and bridles more than 5,000 years ago. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bridle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bridel, from Old English brīdel; akin to Old English bregdan to move quickly — more at braid

Verb

Middle English bridlen, going back to Old English brīdlian, verbal derivative of brīdel bridle entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bridle was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bridle

Cite this Entry

“Bridle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bridle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bridle

1 of 2 noun
bri·​dle ˈbrīd-ᵊl How to pronounce bridle (audio)
1
: a device for controlling a horse made up of a set of straps enclosing the head, a bit, and a pair of reins
2
: something that works or is used like a bridle
3
: restraint sense 2
set a bridle on his power

bridle

2 of 2 verb
bridled; bridling ˈbrīd-liŋ How to pronounce bridle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to put a bridle on
2
: to hold back with or as if with a bridle
bridled her anger
3
: to hold the head high and draw in the chin as a show of resentment
bridle at criticism

Medical Definition

bridle

noun
bri·​dle ˈbrīd-ᵊl How to pronounce bridle (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on bridle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!