bristle

noun

bris·tle | \ ˈbri-səl

Definition of bristle

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a short stiff coarse hair or filament hog bristles short bristle paint brushes

bristle

verb

bristled; bristling\ ˈbris-liŋ

, ˈbri-sə- \

Definition of bristle (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to furnish with short stiff coarse hairs or filaments : to furnish with bristles

2 : to make aggressive or angry : to make bristly : ruffle

intransitive verb

1a : 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

3a : 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

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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: Noun

Handcrafted by Japanese artisans with cruelty-free nylon bristles and a sustainable hardwood birch handle, editorial makeup star Gucci Westman’s new foundation brush creates a radiant party-ready complexion. — Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, "The Best Beauty Gifts Under $100 to Give Everyone on Your List," 19 Nov. 2018 Avendaño swears by a buffing brush (one with dense bristles) to apply foundation on his clients who are dealing with breakouts. — Tiffany Dodson, SELF, "7 Mistakes You're Making When You Conceal Pimples," 1 Nov. 2018 The bristles are also more closely packed together to ensure that every single lash, even the baby ones, get some love. — Shannon Barbour, The Cut, "Chanel Created 3-D-Printed Mascara," 11 June 2018 The Issue: Dirt/Soap Scum When grout is stained with dirt or soap scum, scrub it with a stiff-bristle brush, hot water, and scouring powder, such as Comet or Bar Keepers Friend. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Clean Dirty Grout," 5 Dec. 2018 This domed bristle brush picks up and deposits blush to define, contour, and shade your cheeks. — Lori Keong, Marie Claire, "The 10 Essential Makeup Brushes You Need to Own," 3 Nov. 2016 Avoid steel wool or hard bristles, as these tools can damage the coating on the heating element. — Betty Gold, Good Housekeeping, "The 5 Best Air Fryers for Making Crispy Comfort Foods So Much Healthier," 20 Nov. 2018 Or bristle when walking down a street at night and seeing a group of black teenage boys approaching. — Elizabeth Bernstein, WSJ, "Why We Stereotype Strangers," 29 Oct. 2018 Just squirt your cleanser onto the wet bristles (which are truly very, very soft), turn the brush on, and rub the Clarisonic in circles over your skin. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "Clarisonic Brushes Are On Sale at Ulta Right Now," 9 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Neither film truly captures the use of the Scots’ schiltron spears—clusters of men would huddle groups, bristling with spear tips in hedgehog fashion. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "'Outlaw King' vs. 'Braveheart': Which Movie Gets Scotland Right?," 13 Nov. 2018 The longer bristles at the tip reach into corners while the shorter ones on the sides are perfect for walls and floors. — Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping, "This $7 Heavy Duty Grout Brush Will Send the Mildew in Your Bathroom Packing," 1 Mar. 2019 Another proposal that had been scheduled for a vote is a new code of conduct for the bishops, which Bishop Daniel Conlon of Joliet, Illinois, bristled at. — Marisa Iati, The Seattle Times, "Bishops are conflicted about how they need to change to reduce sexual abuse," 13 Nov. 2018 Indeed, the B-17s flown by the Eighth Air Force out of Britain bristled with 13 .50-caliber guns for defense and were more heavily armored than other bombers. — David A. Price, WSJ, "‘Big Week’ Review: The Seven-Day Blow," 23 Nov. 2018 And former intel chiefs are bristling at the President Trump's decision to declassify important documents related to the Russia investigation. — Fox News, "Ingraham: The rush to judgment and injustice for Kavanaugh," 18 Sep. 2018 It was moored at the end of a long dock in a busy marina with views of rocks bristling with cormorants, seagulls screeching overhead, and a bevy of ducks that arrived each morning for their share of the toast. — Tara Conklin, Vogue, "After Divorce, Floating Another Chance at Love," 6 Feb. 2019 Its thin, flat row of gentle bristles adds just a light dusting of product. — Tiffany Dodson, SELF, "The 4 Makeup Brushes You Need to Master Foundation and Contouring," 10 Oct. 2018 Francis' conservative critics might also bristle at another display of raw papal power from the Argentine Jesuit. — Nicole Winfield, Fox News, "Pope defrocks Chilean priest at center of abuse scandal," 28 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bristle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for bristle

Noun

Middle English bristil, from brust bristle, from Old English byrst; akin to Old High German burst bristle, and perhaps to Latin fastigium top

Verb

verbal derivative of bristle entry 1

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