1
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of bristles
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Many reach for a small, flat brush with bristles that are denser at the base and finer at the tips—almost like a wide-tooth comb—to carve ultra-precise ridges that feel architectural yet delicate.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 27 Feb. 2026
Its fine bristles can help break down grime.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
The agency added that Weber is aware of at least 38 reports of bristles detaching, including four cases that required medical treatment.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Instead of natural hair, this manual face brush features incredibly soft nylon bristles that are even gentler on the skin.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Any notion that the Broncos were scraping by was met with a mouthful of bristles from Sean Payton.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
The comb attachment features fine, short, and long bristles, creating just enough tension to straighten hair from root to tip without snagging on coils.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Ross bristles at the comparison.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
Scrub the feet as well, getting the little bristles inside to remove any mold.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Many reach for a small, flat brush with bristles that are denser at the base and finer at the tips—almost like a wide-tooth comb—to carve ultra-precise ridges that feel architectural yet delicate.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 27 Feb. 2026
Its fine bristles can help break down grime.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
The agency added that Weber is aware of at least 38 reports of bristles detaching, including four cases that required medical treatment.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Instead of natural hair, this manual face brush features incredibly soft nylon bristles that are even gentler on the skin.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Any notion that the Broncos were scraping by was met with a mouthful of bristles from Sean Payton.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
The comb attachment features fine, short, and long bristles, creating just enough tension to straighten hair from root to tip without snagging on coils.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Ross bristles at the comparison.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristles
Noun
-
Dryer sheets reduce static cling and coat fibers for smoother, softer fabric.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
-
For optimum warmth and comfort, opt for thicker ski socks made of merino wool or synthetic fibers.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 60-year immigration bubble finally bursts.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Once a cushioned conduit to the other side, the casket now bursts with the wisdom of a life lived outside the box.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Benedict isn’t having it and storms out before Colin even comes back with drinks.—
Christina Grace Tucker,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
-
But the deeper wound comes after Bree storms out.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Wednesday’s hearing, which will mark Walz’s and Ellison’s first official appearances in the federal probe into the fraud scandal, is expected to focus on similar threads.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The main packbag uses a 210-denier nylon reinforced with superstrong threads of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).—
Corey Buhay,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For better and worse, the energy that once belonged to the cineplex now buzzes on our small screens, with all of the industry consequences that that entails.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
When Cana reaches capacity, the dining room buzzes with energy.—
Elazar Sontag,
Washington Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Europe is bracing for fallout from volatility in energy markets as conflicts rages in the Middle East.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Co-sleeping Is More Common While the debate rages on in America about whether or not co-sleeping is safe, in many African countries, including Kenya and South Africa, as well as Latin America, co-sleeping—whether bed-sharing or room-sharing—is an accepted practice.—
Katrina Donham,
Parents,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a brain aneurysm is a weakened area in an artery that bulges outward and fills with blood.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Luckin, whose app brims with coupons and promotions, is also value-oriented.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The film brims with resonant inserts of Lil Ant’s neighbors, leaning against project walls, backlit by fireworks, sitting in basketball hoops, high above the ground.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bristles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristles. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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