bristles 1 of 2

Definition of bristlesnext
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
Turn it back upright, using the bristles to brush away the remaining snow. Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026 To make the bristles even softer, wrap them in a small dishcloth before using. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026 And finally, follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines1 of when to replace toothbrushes, which is every three to four months for adults (or, if the bristles become frayed), and more often for children. Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026 If your base products look cakey, try applying small amounts to the back of your hand and working them into the bristles of your brush before applying them to your face. Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026 Any brush made from plastic is dishwasher-safe and can be placed on the top rack with the bristles facing downward for a normal cycle. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2025 The catch is that these cosmonauts landing in an undiscovered world are dandelion seeds tethered to delicate, umbrella-like structures, or pappi, comprised of numerous, fuzzy bristles. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025 Plus, the anti-static bristles claim to reduce breakage, which is a big plus in my book. Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025 The robot vacuum has 8,000Pa suction and a multidirectional floating roller brush with rubber and bristles, which does an excellent job of removing dust and debris from carpets. Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
Ross bristles at the comparison. Tom Roland, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristles
Noun
  • Key features include temperature regulation for shifting conditions, dynamically-breathable fibers that adapt to body temperature changes and a soft, next-to-skin feel as well as moisture-wicking and odor-resistant properties for long-lasting comfort.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Artichokes contain prebiotic fibers, which fuel beneficial bacteria in your large intestine.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Later, as the film plays, the crowd bursts intermittently into laughter, cracking up at the clown-car quality of everyone piling into the van for the first time.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Over the last decade, a slew of studies have found strong evidence that climate change makes stronger, wetter storms more powerful.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Koko storms off and spends the rest of the evening moping about the interaction.
    Jihan Forbes, Allure, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Picking up on these threads, the third week’s installments show that even when the current is pulling too strongly, there’s still a choice to make.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Nestled on 30 private acres in the South Fork of Provo Canyon, the secluded property threads streams and waterfalls beneath stone bridges, across gentle knolls, and under low-hanging eaves, all hinting at a hobbit-house inspiration without ever tipping into twee fantasy.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Lean too hard, exceed a set speed threshold, or approach a hazard, and the seat buzzes to alert you.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Moments later, her phone buzzes with an alert.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • As the battle rages on at Montecalvo, a smaller battle, though no less consequential, is unfolding at Vilgefortz’s secret lair.
    Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • As Hurricane Melissa rages across Jamaica, even those reporting the news have been struck by the severity of the storm that has officially been marked a category 5 — the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
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
  • When time stops one hot summer day and the road out vanishes, not everyone is displeased with the changes, even when the sparse little woods turn into an impassable forest and the river brims with strange, seductive voices.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
  • Overall, researchers discovered a rich world in one of the most remote regions in the world — one that brims with artistic and architectural integrity.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bristles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristles. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

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