Synonyms of bristled

bristled

verb

past tense of bristle

1

as in buzzed

to be copiously supplied

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• buzzed
• burst
• hummed
• bulged
• brimmed
• abounded
• swarmed
• bustled
• teemed
• crawled
• overflowed
• pullulated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• needed
• wanted
• lacked

2

as in stormed

to express one's anger usually violently

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stormed
• raged
• fumed
• rampaged
• raved
• ranted
• blustered
• made a scene
• ran amok
• steamed
• seethed
• fulminated
• fretted
• carried on
• foamed
• smoldered
• flared (up)
• flipped (out)
• chafed
• stewed
• took on
• blew up
• burned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contained
• composed
• collected
• soothed
• suppressed
• checked
• swallowed
• restrained
• stifled
• subdued
• smothered
• tempered
• repressed
• strangled
• choked (back)
• appeased
• eased
• relaxed
• allayed
• pacified
• moderated
• curbed
• reined
• pocketed
• cooled
• settled
• quieted
• calmed
• stilled
• toned (down)
• hushed
• quelled
• let up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bristled

Presidents from George Washington onward have wrestled with, and often bristled at, congressional demands. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026

The 11th-year starter bristled when asked about Schottenheimer after the game. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

But Bona says the film was produced over the course of two years from a team of 70 to 80 people, and some of the creators bristled at the idea that the images were created with a single click. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2026

What’s more, two groups that fought alongside the government – Eritrea and the Fano militia from the neighboring Amhara region – bristled at being excluded from peace talks. — Siyanne Mekonnen, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026

Since Caitlin Clark helped drive the WNBA's popularity, left-wing sports writers have bristled at traditional fans filling arenas. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Companies that previously touted the regulator’s strength have bristled as the agency now pursues policies specific to prediction markets. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026

The moment is a test for the UAE government, which has burnished a reputation for building effective measures against extremist activities but also has bristled in the past over criticism of security lapses. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Sonorous jaws bristled with the thick chin hairs of your least-favourite grandmother. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026