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

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

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

Corazza admits that some of the Roblox community bridle at the idea their work will train AI. —Will Bedingfield, WIRED, 4 July 2023

Inside, the interior is a sea of beautifully detailed tobacco-brown bridle leather, interrupted by only a handful of buttons. —Robin Swithinbank, Robb Report, 30 May 2023

The sticky gel on the wagon axles and the connection to the horse's bridle suggest Link built this wagon himself from component parts. —Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 13 Apr. 2023

Belts with suits have always been welcome at Sid Mashburn, which stocks a dizzying array of belts from dressy bridle leather to a hairy zebra hide. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2023

Verb

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

But a few Likud veterans may bridle. —Bernard Avishai, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2022

Once Gonzaga shook out the cobwebs, the Bulldogs kept the Huskies bridled with defense, with hard hedges on screens and Timme sagging off Andre Jackson Jr. to protect the lane. —John Marshall, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2023

Once Gonzaga shook out the cobwebs, the Bulldogs kept the Huskies bridled with defense, with hard hedges on screens and Timme sagging off Jackson to protect the lane. —John Marshall, ajc, 26 Mar. 2023

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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