as in shaggy
covered with or as if with hair
although pigs look hairless, they're actually bristly creatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 bristly
Step 3: Tidy the Harvest When the garlic is fully cured with papery skins and brittle, brown leaves, brush away any excess soil with your fingers and clip back the bristly roots.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2024
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
Hedgehogs are small mammals, known for their coats, which are covered with bristly spines.
—Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2021
See All Example Sentences for bristly
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2024
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
Hedgehogs are small mammals, known for their coats, which are covered with bristly spines.
—Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2021
See All Example Sentences for bristly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristly
Adjective
-
Later, other stars like Stevie Nicks, David Cassidy, and Mick Jagger mimicked the look in a more choppy, shaggy way with bangs, layers, and tons of texture—instead of the sleekness of the original look.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
-
During a Tuesday, April 7 appearance on Theo Von's This Past Weekend podcast, the 26-year-old country star spoke about her classic look, featuring shaggy, curly brown bangs.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Giants reliever Ryan Walker survived a hairy 10th inning to send the game into the 11th.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
So the molds – the hairy fungi – have spores which are released into the air.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The combination of silky cream cheese, smooth jello, and crispy pretzel crust is unbeatable—and truly iconic.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The sheets are made from bamboo viscose, which is breathable and feels silky smooth against the skin.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bristly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristly. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
