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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bristles
Emily Orofino, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
Ridley likes to create the base by blending different shades of cream and brown polish with a gradient brush (a thin nail brush with spiky bristles) to create the fur-like look and texture.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 28 Jan. 2026
The key to effectively cleaning a grill is a durable grill brush that withstands high heat, like this $30 option that’s made sans metal bristles.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2026
Inside, a spinning mass causes small bristles on its body to rapidly compress and release.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
The cleanser itself contains aloe and coconut oil, which will leave bristles soft and flexible.
—Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2026
The side with the brown mascara has thin, precise bristles that helped separate my lashes to look like tiny spider legs rather than a clumpy bowl of cake batter.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
As one of the few people to have manned those sleds, Kasper Damsø bristles at the remark.
—Lisa Abend, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
Gently sweeping with a brush and using its bristles to collect genetic material from manuscripts has been used with success in the past by Meiklejohn and her colleagues.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Mia Sato, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026
Richard initially bristles at the idea because the potential complications could impact his work as a surgeon and his personal life.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 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
The smaller brush is best for the face due to its longer, softer bristles, while the larger brush has shorter, firmer bristles meant to be used on the face, neck, crown, and the body.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
Ridley likes to create the base by blending different shades of cream and brown polish with a gradient brush (a thin nail brush with spiky bristles) to create the fur-like look and texture.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 28 Jan. 2026
The key to effectively cleaning a grill is a durable grill brush that withstands high heat, like this $30 option that’s made sans metal bristles.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2026
Inside, a spinning mass causes small bristles on its body to rapidly compress and release.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
The cleanser itself contains aloe and coconut oil, which will leave bristles soft and flexible.
—Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2026
The side with the brown mascara has thin, precise bristles that helped separate my lashes to look like tiny spider legs rather than a clumpy bowl of cake batter.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
As one of the few people to have manned those sleds, Kasper Damsø bristles at the remark.
—Lisa Abend, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
Gently sweeping with a brush and using its bristles to collect genetic material from manuscripts has been used with success in the past by Meiklejohn and her colleagues.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Shirley bristles at being labeled an influencer in press coverage.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026
Richard initially bristles at the idea because the potential complications could impact his work as a surgeon and his personal life.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 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
-
The cotton fibers also ensure durability that will hold up for years of use and will wash well.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The skins feature synthetic fibers that allow for smooth sliding in the forward direction, but provide grip so the skis don’t slide backward.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 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
-
As Williams storms Hollywood's A List, Fonzovs says it's been surreal.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That turns out to be a mistake, since a commando team soon storms his island with orders to kill him on sight.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The climactic scenes toy with the blurred lines between hallucination and reality, but the logic falls apart; threads like Hana’s rash decision to undertake a dangerous surgical fix virtually evaporate without much payoff.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Customers will also find necessities such as threads, stretcher bars, tacks, scissors and a selection of self-finishing items.—
Julianna Chen,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This hotel buzzes with young style- and budget-conscious travelers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Getty Images Of the nine players in the Rays’ batting order Opening Day 2025 against the visiting Rockies, only four remain with the club less than one month before Charlotte Sports Park buzzes with activity that signals the start of spring training.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He's set to speak about the economy as a political storm rages just four hours to the north over his administration’s immigration enforcement tactics.—
Brianne Pfannenstiel,
Des Moines Register,
27 Jan. 2026
-
To this day, the wave of violence rages on in Sinaloa and other states where the cartel has influence.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 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 Feb. 2026.
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