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bristle 1 of 2

noun

ˈbri-səl How to pronounce bristle (audio)
Definition of bristlenext
as in fiber
a thin, flexible structure that resembles a hair a hairbrush with plastic bristles

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to storm
to express one's anger usually violently the man bristled at the accusation, and threatened to file a lawsuit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bristle
Noun
Instead of a pomade stick, Tauber recommends using Oribe Gel Sérum on coils, applying a generous amount around the hairline before smoothing it back with a boar bristle brush. — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026 Its soft bristles are suited for delicate materials like mesh and suede, while the medium bristles can tackle leather and rubber, and hard bristles are built for tougher surfaces like outsoles. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
Even Deramas himself makes an appearance near the film’s coda, in which the director bristles at Ina for interrupting his shooting set. — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026 Multiple sources tell Rambling there were creative differences between Ellis and HBO — hardly a shock given that the author has bristled at adaptations of his work for 25 years, since American Psycho. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bristle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristle
  1. fiber
  2. burst
  3. storm
  4. thread
  5. bulge
  6. rage
  7. wire
  8. buzz
Noun
  • The engines of performance — max heart rate, muscle mass and fast-twitch fibers among them — wane.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Epoxy resin impregnates and binds the reinforcing layers, helping turn the separate fiber skins and honeycomb into one stiff, lightweight structure.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of fiber
Verb
  • The original Defender burst onto the scene in 1983 (though it wouldn’t be called the Defender until 1990), as a modern update to the original Land Rover Series that had debuted in the 1940s.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Pioneers who created the tech weigh in OpenAI burst onto the mainstream in 2022 following the launch of its artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT, and it's ballooned into one of the most valuable private companies in the world.
    — Ashley Capoot,David Faber,Kate Rooney, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of burst
Verb
  • On a cold night in November 2011, in a field outside Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, a gang of thugs stormed a Soviet scientific research institute, beat and humiliated the staff and burned the place to the ground.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The second-chance Hail Mary led to the incomprehensible scene of the Michigan Stadium crowd storming the field to cheer the winningest program in Bowl Subdivision history eking out a victory over a Mid-American Conference school.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of storm
Noun
  • The documentary threads Reddy’s story together with those of fellow artists Nil Yalter, Zarina and Camille Billops, each of whom channeled displacement into their art.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In her film, Sanguinetti presents a subtle thread about the nature of western spaces defined by ossified traditions, the face of which is being altered by the specter of modernity.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of thread
Verb
  • At the end of his second-round match against Hubert Hurkacz, an eye-bulging celebration followed a relentless performance against a very tricky opponent.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Inside, the main route to the galleries is down a stairwell between rough black bulging walls.
    — Michael Joseph Gross, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bulge
Verb
  • As debate rages over how to respond to the growing power of artificial intelligence, Bill Gates is throwing a billion dollars and some words of wisdom at the problem.
    — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Wind River’s Julia Jones shows up as a Native woman who joins the pack, and holds her own against obstacles ranging from raging rivers to even-more-raging men.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of rage
Noun
  • Here are 11 interesting names that could hit the waiver wire.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • That’s what life is like for NFL players who were plucked off the waiver wire last week, or those who have signed with a new team last week after not making their old team’s initial 53-man roster.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of wire
Verb
  • Flies buzz over the rotting carcass, which is riven by claw marks so unnaturally deep that no one can determine whomauledit.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • At the AfD’s final preelection rally Thursday in the state capital, Magdeburg, a crowd of 6,000 is buzzing.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of buzz

Browse Nearby Words

briskness
bristle
bristled
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Cite this Entry

“Bristle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristle. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bristle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bristle

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