BRISTLY Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

bristly

adjective

ˈbris-lē

Definition of bristly

as in shaggy

covered with or as if with hair although pigs look hairless, they're actually bristly creatures

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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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for bristly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristly

Adjective

The shaggy golden Saint Berdoodle was killed on June 13 by an LAPD officer while bounding out of Marseille’s Canoga Park apartment.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Yeoh sported a shaggy platinum crop with dark roots peeping through, pairing her transformation with one of the brand’s signature skirt suits.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 7 July 2026

Definition of shaggy

Adjective

New leaves frequently emerge reddish, and the plant may grow as a ground cover, shrub, or climbing vine with hairy aerial roots.

— Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026
This daring accessory was first debuted in Schiaparelli’s fall 2024 ready-to-wear collection, and the hairy tie has been making the rounds with other celebrities such as Selma Blair.

— Christian Allaire, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Definition of hairy

Adjective

Instead, the sweet juices from the fresh tomatoes combine with the starchy pasta water to create a silky coating for the noodles.

— Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
This ingredient is absolute magic here, adding umami without the need for stock and a touch of silky starch to thicken the pan sauce.

— Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 July 2026

Definition of silky

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bristling

bristly

britches

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“Bristly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristly. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bristly

adjective

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