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 But that hypothesis, Harland wrote in a bristly 1964 Scientific American article, was not supported by any concrete evidence. — Laura Poppick july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025 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

There’s even a shaggy-bearded off-islander, an academic expert who has arrived to help find a solution.

— Andy Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2026
The shaggy bovines of the plains and boreal forests were nearly hunted to extinction in a frenzy of killing that decimated their population.

— Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 20 July 2026

Definition of shaggy

Adjective

Some plants are less likely to get eaten than others, namely, plants with strong fragrance and to a lesser extent, things that are hairy or heavily textured.

— Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 21 July 2026
Scope 3 is the big, hairy one to get your arms around, but for us Scope 1 is our own operations—not just our stores, but our manufacturing.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 20 July 2026

Definition of hairy

Adjective

Pair a striped tee with your silky slip skirt, finishing the look with vacation-ready accessories—a raffia tote, flip-flops, and shield sunglasses.

— Alice Cary, Vogue, 24 July 2026
Greek yogurt creates a silky texture, while garlic, lemon juice, cumin, black pepper, and grated nutmeg deliver plenty of flavor.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 23 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 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bristly

adjective

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