bristle

noun

bris·​tle ˈbri-səl How to pronounce bristle (audio)
Synonyms of bristlenext
: a short stiff coarse hair or filament
hog bristles
short bristle paint brushes
bristlelike adjective

Examples of bristle in a Sentence

a face covered with bristles the bristles of a brush
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In contrast, New World porcupines—those found in North and South America—have individual quills interspersed with sensory guard hairs, bristles, and underfur. Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 But there’s plenty of homophobia to go around here, too, as the higher-in-the-ranks men that Francis and his cohort are assigned to entertain bristle at seeing the men dressed up as women and acting femininely. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026 Use a nylon-bristle brush to scrub the affected areas. Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 May 2026 It’s made of rigid metal wire instead of thin bristles, which are twisted in three layers to reach every surface on the grates. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bristle

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bristle was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bristle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bristle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

bristle

1 of 2 noun
bris·​tle ˈbris-əl How to pronounce bristle (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce bristle (audio)
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 How to pronounce bristle (audio)
: a short stiff coarse hair or filament

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