bristles 1 of 2

plural of bristle
as in fibers
a thin, flexible structure that resembles a hair a hairbrush with plastic bristles

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bristles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bristle

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bristles
Noun
In his review, our expert Andrew Gebhart said the Dyson Vis Nav’s stiff nylon bristles digs deep into carpets or hard surfaces alike, sucking up any mess. Carlos Mejia, PC Magazine, 23 June 2026 Each silhouette is thoughtfully designed with unique features tailored to beauty and travel needs like separate packing compartments to keep products organized, palette storage for makeup, brush holders to protect bristles, travel mirrors, and removable pouches that double as chic clutches. ABC News, 16 June 2026 The bristles are pretty soft, and there's a mult-ridge tongue cleaner located on the back of the brush. Olivia Bria, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026 Carpet beetle larvae are usually about 1/8-inch long, tan, and covered in hairy bristles. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 10 June 2026 Avoid using metal brushes, Reichert says, because the bristles can break off and can get into your food. Emerson Latham, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026 In contrast, New World porcupines—those found in North and South America—have individual quills interspersed with sensory guard hairs, bristles, and underfur. Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 Available in small, medium and large, this paw cleaner has silicone bristles that remove dirt from muddy paws. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 These bristles are arranged in a slightly domed shape to melt products into your complexion. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 14 May 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 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 Durham skillfully builds the insular world of a top Russian ballet school, and the atmosphere bristles with competition, flirtation, and intrigue. April Austin, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristles
Noun
  • Woods, stone, natural fibers enliven the senses.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026
  • After washing, trace amounts of detergent components can remain embedded in textile fibers.
    Zachary Reed, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Just as the pair were celebrating finally taking Evan off-island for father-son bonding time on the mainland, a knock on the door bursts their bubble.
    Benjamin VanHoose, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
  • Haaland bursts our bubble almost immediately by scoring in the opening five minutes, and Burnley miss a few good first-half chances, with striker Zian Flemming particularly culpable.
    Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Greater Cincinnati may be pelted with severs storms overnight as much of the Midwest is set to experience an abnormal mid-June system, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
    Aaron Valdez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 17 June 2026
  • Gary ultimately storms off, but Duncan appreciates the insult, suggesting that Silicon Valley's venture capitalists love sociopaths.
    Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • It’s wrapped with a stunning jacquard fabric expertly milled with fine threads in Limonta, Italy.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
  • What scent compatibility means for couples today Putting these threads together, scent compatibility is emerging as a quiet but powerful factor in modern relationships.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Every once in a while, a player buzzes in with an answer that truly catches fans off-guard.
    Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026
  • So when something goes on in markets that inspires exuberance or fear, my phone buzzes.
    Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Molloy rages to his film crew, and Lestat’s duplicity plants a wedge between the vamps.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 June 2026
  • Halfway through 2026 and the Beckham family feud still rages on.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 16 June 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
  • Anderson brims with confidence, and good shooters usually do.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026
  • The Sunriver Art Fair showcases juried artists in The Village, while the Sunriver Resort Farmers Market brims with local produce and handmade goods.
    Lauren Jones, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bristles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristles. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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