Synonyms of bristles

bristles 1 of 2

noun

plural of bristle

as in fibers

a thin, flexible structure that resembles a hair

a hairbrush with plastic bristles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fibers
• threads
• wires
• filaments
• hairs
• tufts
• yarns
• strings
• microfibers
• cords
• ropes
• fuzzes

bristles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bristle

1

as in bursts

to be copiously supplied

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bursts
• buzzes
• bulges
• brims
• hums
• abounds
• teems
• bustles
• overflows
• swarms
• crawls
• pullulates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• needs
• wants
• lacks

2

as in storms

to express one's anger usually violently

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• storms
• rages
• fumes
• runs amok
• makes a scene
• fulminates
• foams
• rampages
• blusters
• steams
• raves
• flares (up)
• rants
• frets
• seethes
• flips (out)
• carries on
• smolders
• takes on
• chafes
• blows up
• burns
• stews

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contains
• curbs
• soothes
• reins
• collects
• allays
• swallows
• restrains
• tones (down)
• pockets
• suppresses
• checks
• composes
• smothers
• chokes (back)
• stifles
• represses
• strangles
• subdues
• moderates
• tempers
• pacifies
• appeases
• eases
• relaxes
• cools
• settles
• calms
• quiets
• stills
• hushes
• quells
• lets up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bristles

Noun

In landfills, synthetic bristles on paintbrushes can take hundreds of years to degrade, while their plastic handles take up to a thousand years, Silverman said. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Briceno recommends coating both sides of the brush, wiping away any excess, and making sure the bristles come to a clean edge before applying. — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 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

The recall came after 54 reports of bristles detaching—three of which resulted in people receiving medical treatment. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026

Outdoor units usually have a large coil covered with fins and bristles that help regulate the temperature and flow of refrigerant, but these can get easily plugged with dirt, pollen, grass clippings, and other debris. — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 9 July 2026

Its firm bristles help loosen stains, mineral deposits, and other residue that can build up inside the bowl, making routine cleaning easier and more effective. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

The commission said there were four reports of consumers seeking medical treatment after swallowing the metal bristles, and customers were advised to stop using the products and request a replacement nylon grill brush. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Most formulas use a twist or tap brush applicator that channels powder into the bristles for mess-free touch-ups over makeup throughout the day. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 1, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

Verb

Because Klaveness is not the only football governor who bristles at the way Infantino does business. — Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026

Luiselli crafts a novel of ideas that challenges the very idea of narrative, yet one that bristles with raw feeling. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

Still proud of her pioneer status, Val bristles at this. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 May 2026

Langley is not the kind of country singer who bristles at the genre’s conventions. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 8 May 2026

Anderson bristles at the notion of any one-size-fits-all philosophy to correcting the problem of strikeouts. — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026

Salt, responding to this charge, bristles a touch at being called mainstream and says her taste is more complex. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026

Shirley bristles at being labeled an influencer in press coverage. — Mia Sato, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026

As much as Payton bristles about media storylines and huffs about tempo questions, the Broncos went 25 minutes without a first down against Las Vegas. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Nov. 2025