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
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
In February, Weber voluntarily recalled 3 million brushes after at least 38 reports of small wire bristles breaking, including four reports of consumers swallowing bristles.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Its stiff, natural coir bristles will grab onto mud and dirt that often comes with the arrival of spring weather.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2026
Since rats can’t chew through metal bristles, these provide better protection than standard rubber sweeps.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026
For a spruce-up dusting, use a brush with natural bristles to get into the crevices between the spines and on top of the books.
—Sunshine Flint, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
On the downside, bristles that aren’t pliable may scratch some surfaces.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Five people have swallowed the metal bristles and needed medical treatment as a result.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 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
If pride bristles, breathe and frame feedback as an invitation to make the work shine brighter than any ego.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
In February, Weber voluntarily recalled 3 million brushes after at least 38 reports of small wire bristles breaking, including four reports of consumers swallowing bristles.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Its stiff, natural coir bristles will grab onto mud and dirt that often comes with the arrival of spring weather.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2026
Since rats can’t chew through metal bristles, these provide better protection than standard rubber sweeps.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026
For a spruce-up dusting, use a brush with natural bristles to get into the crevices between the spines and on top of the books.
—Sunshine Flint, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
On the downside, bristles that aren’t pliable may scratch some surfaces.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Five people have swallowed the metal bristles and needed medical treatment as a result.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 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
-
Like many soft toys, the creatures developed by a manufacturer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are made with polyester and acrylic, synthetic fibers derived from petroleum.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The 800 RealFleece Classic Pile fleece, meanwhile, was introduced to deliver warmth and comfort while cutting reliance on petrochemical fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
22 Apr. 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
-
Inflamed by Ratansen’s adviser’s account of Padmavati’s beauty, Alauddin Khalji storms the fortress by treachery rather than valor.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But in the moment, no one seems more upset by the confession than Rachel, who storms away despite her prior promises not to judge.—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As of early March, South Ocean Boulevard, the oceanfront road that runs past Mar-a-Lago and threads through the most expensive zip code in Florida, has been closed indefinitely between South County Road and Southern Boulevard due to security concerns stemming from the Iran war.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Tan France is launching Honorable Gays alongside comedians Rob Anderson and Eric Sedeño to deliberate the wild Reddit threads.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Joe is lording over his fiefdom from his den, designed in perfect Don Corleone-chic decor, when his fax machine buzzes to life.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Liz’s Where Y’at Diner Downhome cooking takes center stage at Liz’s Where Y’at Diner, where owner Liz Munson buzzes between tables and greets customers with a smile and a hug.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That said, that growth has stalled as the Middle East conflict rages on.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2026
-
As the debate over AI’s role in the workplace rages on, some experts warn that eliminating menial tasks with AI could come with a hidden cost to productivity.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 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
-
The show brims with stories that once chiseled their way out of one determined Black, Indigenous woman’s heart and hands.—
Tyehimba Jess,
ARTnews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Named after a 17th-century swashbuckling sailor, Jost Van Dyke brims with a bravado that would make even a pirate proud.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bristles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristles. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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