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

The pile is less shaggy and the patterns lean geometric over minimalist.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026
At its best, that instinct lends his comedies a shaggy warmth and a conspiratorial mood that suggests the filmmaker, character, and even viewers are all surviving the humiliation of modern intimacy together.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of shaggy

Adjective

Her work often features naked women, sagging breasts, and hairy legs.

— Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
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

Definition of hairy

Adjective

It’s made of wrinkle- and shrink-resistant Tencel fabric, which is beloved for its moisture-wicking and silky benefits.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026
This modern quilt is made from 300-thread-count organic cotton sateen, giving it a silky-soft feel and subtle sheen.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 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 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bristly

adjective

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