as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
although pigs look hairless, they're actually bristly creatures
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bristly
Like farmers tilling and watering their fields, the yeti crab dutifully tends its crop by waving its bristly arms.
—
Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 2 Dec. 2011
Called Utah arrays, they are made of hard silicon and look a bit like the bristly part of a hairbrush.
—WIRED, 19 Aug. 2022
Thirteen Lives reminds me of Ron Howard's Apollo 13 for its bristly character moments, people caught in extremis.
—Joshua Rothkopf, EW.com, 6 Aug. 2022
Sandstrom’s most recent Squonk is a hairy, wart-covered monster with bristly, unkempt fur, fangs, and ears that curve down submissively.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 19 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for bristly
Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 2 Dec. 2011
Called Utah arrays, they are made of hard silicon and look a bit like the bristly part of a hairbrush.
—WIRED, 19 Aug. 2022
Thirteen Lives reminds me of Ron Howard's Apollo 13 for its bristly character moments, people caught in extremis.
—Joshua Rothkopf, EW.com, 6 Aug. 2022
Sandstrom’s most recent Squonk is a hairy, wart-covered monster with bristly, unkempt fur, fangs, and ears that curve down submissively.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 19 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for bristly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristly
Adjective
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Labor of love sometimes translates as a low budget or shaggy overall appearance.—
Scott Phillips,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Barr — who is tall with long, shaggy hair and was dressed like a surfer the day of our interview — has never been afraid to try new things in pursuit of adventure.—
Salvador Rodriguez,
CNBC,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Can the Cubs feel confident that their relievers will deliver them through a hairy situation when the chips are down?—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
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What to know about tarantula mating season and where to see the hairy spiders.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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These silky drawstring pants from Quince come in beautiful, subtle shades like smoke gray and navy, and are made with 100% mulberry silk with a satin finish.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
15 Aug. 2025
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With its long, silky coat and striking appearance, the breed is also known for its spirited nature, which can make early training an energetic undertaking.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bristly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristly. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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