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

In Maren Hassinger’s hands, bits of frayed industrial wire pinned to a wall come to resemble dandelion bristles carried away by the breeze. — Carolina A. Miranda, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026

Weber was aware of four consumer reports seeking medical treatment to remove the bristles from their digestive tract or throat, the CPSC said. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Fox bosses have been known to bristle at that — which helps explain why Bartiromo’s disclosure to the White House was such a big deal internally. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Bueno bristled at the notion that city residents' confidence in the 911 system could be shaken by the call. — David Clarey, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 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