bristle

1 of 2

noun

bris·​tle ˈbri-səl 

: a short stiff coarse hair or filament

hog bristles

short bristle paint brushes

bristlelike

ˈbri-sə(l)-ˌlīk 

adjective

bristle

2 of 2

verb

bristled; bristling ˈbris-liŋ 

ˈbri-sə-

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

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.

—William J. Broad

Synonyms of bristle

Noun

• fiber
• thread
• wire
• hair

Verb

• burst
• bulge
• buzz

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

Since rats can’t chew through metal bristles, these provide better protection than standard rubber sweeps. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026

For a spruce-up dusting, use a brush with natural bristles to get into the crevices between the spines and on top of the books. —Sunshine Flint, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026

Verb

Agnes, the tender, bristling English associate about which this film spins, does have the wardrobe and wit of my favorite adjuncts. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026

Orbán has bristled at the slightest mention of the Hungarian election by any of his EU partners, decrying any expressions of support for his opponent as a grave breach of Hungary’s sovereignty and meddling in the election. —Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing bristle

• bristle with (something)
• bristle worm

Rhymes for bristle

• abyssal
• dismissal
• epistle
• fissile
• gristle
• missal
• missile
• nissl
• thistle
• whistle

Kids Definition

bristle

1 of 2 noun

bris·​tle ˈbris-əl 

: a short stiff hair or something like a hair

bristled

-əld

adjective

bristly

-(ə-)lē

adjective

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

-(ə-)lē

adjective

Medical Definition

bristle

noun

bris·​tle ˈbris-əl 

: a short stiff coarse hair or filament