bridle

1 of 2

noun

bri·​dle ˈbrī-dᵊl 

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 

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 … interference

—Time

Synonyms

Verb

• check
• constrain
• contain
• control
• curb
• govern
• hold
• inhibit
• keep
• measure
• pull in
• regulate
• rein (in)
• restrain
• rule
• tame

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

Example Sentences

Verb

try to bridle your criticism next time so that it is helpful and not hurtful

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Further riding the theme, so to speak, the brand’s logo reproduces a bridle ring similar to a metallic choker, conveying a sophisticated fetish vibe. —Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2023

The horse's bridle featured intricate gold chains intertwining with dark brown leather, and a golden crown symbol was sewn into the leather placed on the horse's head. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2023

The students were given a basic academic education and spent much of their time learning hands-on skills such as horse bridle-making for boys and sewing for girls that had limited value for a country in the midst of an industrial transformation. —Arkansas Online, 27 Nov. 2022

There’s a white oak bed frame with a hand-cut bridle joint. —James Freeman, WSJ, 1 Nov. 2022

It’s all made from premium English bridle leather that not only looks great (in one of four handsome colors), but feels great in hand too. —Mike Richard, Men's Health, 25 Feb. 2023

The students were given a basic academic education and spent much of their time learning hands-on skills such as horse bridle-making for boys and sewing for girls that had limited value for a country in the midst of an industrial transformation. —Arkansas Online, 27 Nov. 2022

There’s a white oak bed frame with a hand-cut bridle joint. —James Freeman, WSJ, 1 Nov. 2022

Return the horse hitches, watering troughs, provide a wide tree-shaded bridle/walking path through town, to Carefree; move the bike route off the asphalt and onto a separate dedicated parallel. —Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 6 July 2022

Verb

Film critics warned that conservatives might bridle at these human portraits, but reviews after the festival’s screening were strong. —Michael Powell, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2022

Grant was amazed at the assurance with which the girls could brush, saddle, and bridle a horse. —Thomas Mcguane, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2022

In Wales, too, some people bridle at being kept under London's control. —Adam Geller, ajc, 13 Sep. 2022

Adaptive dampers and air springs bridle the mass with authoritative control. —K.c. Colwell, Car and Driver, 4 Oct. 2021

Left to its own devices, the virus could hypothetically bridle itself. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 June 2021

Right-wing politicians who bridle at lockdown restrictions are as angry as the left-wing climate protesters who regularly clog Trafalgar Square in London as part of the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations. —New York Times, 23 Mar. 2021

Wild horses might drag the people of China away from their tyrannical government, but rather than shoot the horses in true Soviet style, the CCP has decided to break and bridle them instead. —Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 1 Oct. 2020

For weeks, neither did many Italians, who alternately obeyed and bridled at the restrictions imposed on them. —Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2020

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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

Phrases Containing bridle

• bridle path

• bridle path

Kids Definition

bridle

1 of 2 noun

bri·​dle ˈbrīd-ᵊl 

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 

-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 

: frenulum