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 Well, bridled a little, in that Molly engages in some bondage play as the show goes on. Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025 The judge also bridled that OPM's acting director, Charles Ezell, and his senior adviser, Noah Peters, did not attend the hearing. Emily Feng, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025 Disney has had major friction with Charter Communications and DirecTV over the past couple of years as those operators have bridled at Disney’s demands for higher fees. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025 Weaker firms may bridle at the costs of compliance; some will go out of business. James K. Galbraith, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2019 See All Example Sentences for bridle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bridle
Verb
  • Cycling the heat on and off allows the robots to adjust speed and even change direction — proof that controlled, repeatable motion is possible at this tiny scale.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The goals of treatment are to control the infection, stabilize the patient and support any organs that are affected or failing.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This neurocosmetic innovation, inspired by Nobel Prize-winning research on touch receptors, works by activating sensory pathways in the skin to trigger the release of mood-regulating biomarkers, establishing a continuous feedback loop between skin repair and emotional balance.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Congress has resisted legislative attempts to regulate the technology, and federal agencies have contracted with Meta and OpenAI to use their AI models.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sandu, a graduate of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, has drawn Moscow's ire with her pro-Europe stance and efforts to curb Kremlin influence.
    Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman followed through on his pledge to control rents, ordering on Thursday a five-year freeze on residential and commercial leases in Riyadh to curb soaring prices.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His arms were restrained to the bed and his feet were shackled together at the ankles.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The leather straps for restraining limbs are still there on opposite ends underneath stacks of paper.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The federal government is hurtling toward a possible shutdown at a delicate moment for the nation's economy, as a hiring slowdown stokes recession fears and inflation proves difficult to fully contain.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • This story contains mention of domestic violence.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Fed, which opted to cut interest rates earlier this month, is guided by a dual mandate to keep inflation under control and maximize employment.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Netanyahu knows that his political future is dependent on keeping far-right members of his coalition on board – and that dynamic has undone past pushes for the end of the war.
    Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • One of the foremost images of American exceptionalism is that of the strong frontier woman taming the elements alongside her husband while also keeping the hearth burning and the bellies full.
    Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Some policymakers share his view that inflation remains elevated and that moving too quickly could undermine progress made in taming price increases.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This Melissa & Doug Chef Dress-Up Set includes everything your budding culinary star needs to really dress the part, including a machine-washable chef's coat with name tag, toque, and oven mitt, along with wooden spoons and measuring spoons.
    Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The game will be streamed at Albertsons Stadium on the south end zone video board, which measures 120 feet wide by 50 feet tall.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bridle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bridle. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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