bridle

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bridle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bridle are check, curb, and restrain. While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Where would check be a reasonable alternative to bridle?

The meanings of check and bridle largely overlap; however, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

When could curb be used to replace bridle?

Although the words curb and bridle have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

When would restrain be a good substitute for bridle?

The words restrain and bridle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bridle Though there have been just 15 ballot initiatives that became law in Idaho in more than 112 years, the state GOP has increasingly bridled at successful signature drives, which have led to Medicaid expansion and higher education funding. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2025 On the ground, soldiers bridled at having to fight an impossible, unpopular war, and turmoil spread through the ranks. Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025 Some diplomats bridle at the very idea of haggling with the Taliban, saying that the rights of women and girls are nonnegotiable. Delaney Simon, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2025 Tchaikovsky’s symphonic ambitions bridle against their keyboard constraints in his early C-sharp sonata; Trifonov tapped both fluidity and clarity out of the bloat. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for bridle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bridle
Verb
  • Asos sold the majority stake in the business for $178 million to the Danish fashion business controlled by the major Asos shareholder Anders Povlsen, who already owns popular European retail brands including Jack & Jones and Vero Moda via his Bestseller business.
    Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • But in other matches, such as recent defeats to Bay FC and Racing Louisville, Angel City has faltered — often losing despite controlling possession.
    Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • While the federal government, not the state, regulates immigration, how should state and local personnel and resources be utilized for that end?
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
  • Does the rule maker want to get into the business of regulating KPIs by industry?
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • But the Malian army and Russian mercenaries struggled to curb violence in the country and have both been accused of targeting civilians.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025
  • Citi Bike has agreed to curb the speed at which its e-bikes can go at 15 miles per hour — a move that came in response to a service suspension threat from Mayor Adams’ administration.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The motion requests the judge to restrain all members of Trump’s administration from enforcing the order.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
  • Hopefully, Samsung can restrain the urge to overload the Galaxy S26 with redundant AI features, but don't get your hopes up.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • This newsletter contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • As of Friday evening, the blaze has been fully contained.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • The deceptively simple secret to this prolific output that keeps Caamp (in addition to Sumbuck, his solo side project) awash in deeply personal, bittersweet vignettes?
    Janine Schaults, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
  • Moscow likely believed the distance itself was enough to keep the aircraft safe from Ukrainian attacks.
    Benjamin Brown, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Simply rubbing the leaves with a drizzle of oil and citrus juice, along with a pinch of salt, will soften the hearty leaves and tame their earthy flavor.
    Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 4 June 2025
  • The best hairsprays provide the ultimate triple threat: holding strands in place for hours, taming frizz, and enhancing texture—no helmet-head in sight.
    Lisa DeSantis, Glamour, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Szostak went on to show that in a case like this, functional information can be measured experimentally.
    Philip Ball, Wired News, 8 June 2025
  • Toyota measures twice and cuts once, and the cutting just began.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bridle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bridle. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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