bristled

Definition of bristlednext
past tense of bristle

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 bristled Orbán has bristled at the slightest mention of the Hungarian election by any of his EU partners, decrying any expressions of support for his opponent as a grave breach of Hungary’s sovereignty and meddling in the election. Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026 In his interview, Boutros bristled at criticism over the exodus of supervisors and mid-level prosecutors, saying there were myriad reasons for people to leave. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 But some critics bristled at the annual outings, especially since Francis would also wash the feet of Muslims and people of other faiths. ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026 Thompson bristled at Rose’s assertion that reversing Kansas’ in-state tuition policy would run counter to Christian teachings. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026 Hicks also bristled at my suggestion that this was a genteel, transparent form of public shaming — information that donors and voters could use to pressure lower-performing candidates out of the race, thus increasing the chance that at least one Democrat advances to November. Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Mar. 2026 The plane was stuffed with instruments, and its wings bristled with sensors and other devices. Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2026 Villa fans and players alike have bristled at how these findings have been interpreted. Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 Alice bristled, saying that this would be too inconvenient, given her inability to drive. Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristled
Verb
  • The Royals dugout buzzed with excitement as the ball went out.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2026
  • While Katseye were in planning mode, the pop world buzzed with speculation and curiosity about what the performance would bring — or more specifically, who.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • After Portland took a 55-35 first-half lead, the Clippers stormed back.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The woman in red stormed off after the fight.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Rico, his wife Michele and daughter Mia burst from their chairs and cheer as Domino flexes his arms, each sleeved in tattoos of dominoes, palm trees and a Cuban cafetera with biceps.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
  • My heart is constantly bursting open, while also breaking into a million pieces.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • As in the Hursh case, a battle over discovery in Nida — that is, a fight to see documents — raged for more than a year before attorneys won the right to see the State Farm documents and depose executives.
    J.C. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The conflict, which has raged on despite a truce brokered by the United States and Qatar, has sparked a huge humanitarian crisis, with at least 7 million people displaced.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The place once hummed with thousands of workers and their families, with a school, a day care and a sports center.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Sewing machines hummed, scissors snipped, patterns stretched across the tables.
    Itay Hod, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Trump has similarly fumed at Thune, going so far as to refuse to sign bills until the SAVE America Act reaches his desk.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Continue reading … POLITICS ‘NO AUTHORIZATION’ – DHS exposes background of NYC city council employee after Mamdani fumed over arrest.
    , FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Apple engineers’ eyes bulged in astonishment.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Angelenos’ eyes bulged at the $1,500-a-head price tag.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Come winter, beach towns like this one dotting the Atlantic Coast stretch of Florida surrounding Fort Lauderdale have long brimmed with French Canadian tourists and other snowbirds who arrive for warmth and sunshine.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The minibar brimmed with complimentary sodas, addictively spicy small-batch pimento cheese Lowcountry Kettle Chips, and lemon sugar cookies from Charleston’s Own.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bristled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristled. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

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