Synonyms of bristle

bristle 1 of 2

noun

ˈbri-səl 

as in fiber

a thin, flexible structure that resembles a hair

a hairbrush with plastic bristles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fiber
• thread
• wire
• hair
• filament
• yarn
• cord
• microfiber
• string
• tuft
• rope
• fuzz

bristle

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to burst

to be copiously supplied

a recent college grad thrilled to be starting a new life in a city bristling with possibilities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• burst
• bulge
• buzz
• hum
• brim
• teem
• swarm
• abound
• overflow
• crawl
• pullulate
• bustle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• want
• need
• lack

2

as in to storm

to express one's anger usually violently

the man bristled at the accusation, and threatened to file a lawsuit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• storm
• rage
• fume
• make a scene
• run amok
• foam
• fulminate
• steam
• rave
• rampage
• rant
• fret
• flare (up)
• bluster
• seethe
• carry on
• flip (out)
• chafe
• take on
• blow up
• smolder
• stew
• burn

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contain
• restrain
• collect
• suppress
• soothe
• swallow
• allay
• check
• tone (down)
• stifle
• temper
• curb
• compose
• appease
• choke (back)
• moderate
• repress
• subdue
• strangle
• pacify
• smother
• ease
• rein
• relax
• settle
• cool
• pocket
• calm
• quiet
• hush
• quell
• let up
• still

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bristle

Noun

The untrained artist began drawing only in her seventies, but her still lifes, often made after dark with humble materials like everyday markers and ballpoint pen, bristle with energy. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026

The same may be true for oral thrush, a yeast infection caused by Candida, because that fungus can also linger on oral surfaces and toothbrush bristles for longer periods of time. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Verb

Over the course of his 45-minute press conference Thursday, many viewers (including CNN reporters and editors) bristled at Warsh’s penchant for catchy turns of phrase that don’t quite … make sense. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 29 July 2026

Several media personalities and even some fellow WNBA colleagues were quick to bristle at her statement about keeping biological men out of girls' sports, but the Indiana Fever guard has not backed down. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026