BRISTLED Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

bristled

verb

past tense of bristle

as in buzzed

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

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as in stormed

to express one's anger usually violently the man bristled at the accusation, and threatened to file a lawsuit

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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 Herbst bristled at the idea that the existing buildings truly needed that many renovations to safely function as a city hall. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026 China understands this reality as well as anyone and, like many countries, has bristled at this enormous concentration of power for decades. — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 June 2026 When his Peace Corps tour ended, Briscoe bristled at the idea of leaving. — ABC News, 10 June 2026 Use an old toothbrush or soft-bristled cleaning brush to scrub the caulk, being sure to get into hard-to-reach corners and edges. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 June 2026 But for years, many clinicians have bristled at the shifts to a centralized system, feeling their voices have been pushed to the side in favor of more corporate decision-making. — Jessica Bartlett — Boston Globe, STAT, 21 May 2026 Above the lobby of Alameda Theatre, Obama Shaw bristled with an unbridled confidence about his abilities. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 18 May 2026 Residents who spoke with the Associated Press expressed concerns about safety and public services but bristled at stereotypes about rampant crime. — Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026 But others, including a number of prominent voices on the Right, bristled at the administration’s timing. — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 9 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristled

Verb

In the 1970s and 80s, dirt bikes buzzed around its fragile landscape, creating erosion and noise.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Giovanna Mantilla was in a meeting in late April when her smartwatch buzzed with the kind of notification that usually makes a small-business owner smile.

— Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

Definition of buzzed

Verb

The puncher, who was wearing a white shirt and shorts, white socks and black crocs, stormed off and has not been caught.

— Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
With Lionel Messi, then 35, defying nature in Tom Brady-like fashion, Argentina stormed to its third World Cup title, which worked in Telemundo’s favor.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 July 2026

Definition of stormed

Verb

Reservoirs were breached or burst after Tropical Storm Maysak hit Guangxi, sending torrents of water into towns and cities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
As other reviewers have also noted, sound quality is superb on the GA lawn, which was full to bursting with blankets and rentable lawn chairs.

— Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026

Definition of burst

Verb

The fire broke out June 17 and raged for eight days, sending a massive amount of smoke into the atmosphere and prompting warnings for nearby residents to stay inside.

— City News Service, Daily News, 8 July 2026
Across the continent, schools closed, concerts were canceled, train lines were suspended and wildfires raged.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of raged

Verb

Both the defendants and courts fumed at this because, while attorney-client privilege survives death, this death killed the power of Boca Raton’s Lee Sarkin and Ocean Ridge’s Drew Levitt to act on their client’s behalf.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
Democratic campaigns fumed Tuesday at the Supreme Court for striking down limits on coordinated spending between political parties and candidates, a conservative 6-3 majority ruling that is set to open the donor floodgates for the midterm elections.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2026

Definition of fumed

Verb

Sitting with her children in a carriage during the parade and later appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, the princess wore nodded to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana's 1987 Easter outfit in a pale blue ensemble and wide-brimmed hat by Catherine Walker.

— Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 June 2026
Conversations between the two often brimmed with lessons on life, which Honda carries close to heart.

— Julius Miller Follow, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

Definition of brimmed

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“Bristled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristled. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bristled

verb

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