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
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
One side of the brush features short, dense bristles that deposit rich black color and build volume, while the longer bristles on the other side help guide lashes upward.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 Mar. 2026
Nexgrill is aware of at least 68 reports of bristles detaching, including five cases that required medical treatment, the CPSC said.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Many have wind‑catching bristles.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Retractable bristles are also almost always preferred.
—Jacob Little, Space.com, 14 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
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
One side of the brush features short, dense bristles that deposit rich black color and build volume, while the longer bristles on the other side help guide lashes upward.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 Mar. 2026
Nexgrill is aware of at least 68 reports of bristles detaching, including five cases that required medical treatment, the CPSC said.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Many have wind‑catching bristles.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Retractable bristles are also almost always preferred.
—Jacob Little, Space.com, 14 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
-
The lint-free towels measure 16 by 26 inches and promise to dry without leaving behind remnants of fabric fibers, too.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, silk, or hemp are better options.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
8 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
-
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
-
Her humiliation is laid bare for everyone in the room — the Easter brunch has gone totally awry — and Ines storms out at the end of her performance.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Van Nuland was more interested in what was happening underground, where sprawling systems of fungal threads — from microscopic ducts to arteries thick as yarn — extended dozens of feet horizontally in all directions.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Stellar streams are arcing threads of stars that form when compact star clusters travel through the Milky Way's gravitational field, shedding stars that are stretched out into long, trailing ribbons.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 15 seconds is displayed on the pitch clock, and umpires wear a communication device that buzzes when the clock strikes zero.—
Jay Cohen,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Amid the population boom, Folsom buzzes with a new vibrancy, as its historic Gold Rush-era downtown is thriving and its surrounding lakes and trails offer plenty of outdoor recreation — and the secret’s getting out.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For now, Iranians are left waiting, even as the war rages on.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Iran’s government is detaining family members and threatening to seize property of Iranian opposition figures in exile, some told the Associated Press, in the latest crackdown on dissenting voices as the war rages on.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
5 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
-
My grandmother isn’t in any textbooks, but her life brims with historical significance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The night brims with awe-striking phenomena—not just stars and auroras but glowing mushrooms, sparkly plankton, bustling night markets, and shimmery fireflies.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bristles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristles. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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