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

The last non-negotiable is a good grill brush, one without metal bristles since those can fly off and get stuck in your food. — Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026

Twist or tap the applicator, and powder flows into the bristles, ready to sweep across the face. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026

Replace the head about every three months, or sooner if the bristles are visibly worn down, Eagle says. — Sarah Klein, Time, 30 June 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

The fluffy brush made with vegan bristles is angled for flawless foundation application. — Tessa Petak, InStyle, 27 June 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

Olikara, who grew up around Wisconsin’s farmland, bristles at how routinely rural America is flattened into caricature. — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 1 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

Verb

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

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

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

Ross bristles at the comparison. — Tom Roland, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025

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

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