BRISTLE Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

bristle 1 of 2

noun

ˈbri-səl

Definition of bristle

as in fiber

a thin, flexible structure that resembles a hair a hairbrush with plastic bristles

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bristle

2 of 2

verb

as in to burst

to be copiously supplied a recent college grad thrilled to be starting a new life in a city bristling with possibilities

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to storm

to express one's anger usually violently the man bristled at the accusation, and threatened to file a lawsuit

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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 bristle

Noun

Barnes likes the double-sided brush, which has short, spiky bristles on one side to lift the base of the lashes and a mini lash comb on the other side to separate and lengthen. — Micaela English, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2026 Privately, those close to Eckert bristle against that perception of him. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

At a busy early voting site on Madison's north side, even some of Hong's supporters bristled at some of her controversial positions. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 When some senators pressed him on the memos’ content, Roberts bristled. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bristle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristle

Noun

High-Protein Nuts and Seeds Nuts and seeds are packed with protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

— Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
Common triggers, Ligresti said, include a lack of soluble fiber, a sudden dietary change, a spike in stress or too much coffee.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of fiber

Verb

The Fire Department rescued numerous residents who had become trapped by the flames, which were seen bursting from the building, KCTV5 reported at the time.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
The illusion of a beautiful, war-free Dresden, however, would soon burst for these men, going as flat as the champagne bubbles after the wedding of Billy Pilgrim’s daughter.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of burst

Verb

Such mutinous talk only heightened conservative Justices’ sense that the barbarians were storming the gate.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Young people armed with machetes stormed the site of the funeral, forcing the team to flee and injuring one member, a representative told the Associated Press.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of storm

Noun

In a strange way, Alexia Putellas’ move to London City Lionesses this summer encapsulates an enduring thread of recent transfer windows in the Women’s Super League.

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The app’s home page will feature a personalized list of posts from a user’s preferred sites, with another tab dedicated to game threads.

— Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of thread

Verb

By later in the day, the second lake had bulged — sparking fears of another lethal torrent.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Infants may act sluggish or not active, vomit, be unusually fussy, face poor feeding, show a bulging soft spot on the head, or show poor reflexes.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of bulge

Verb

The deadly multistate outbreak, linked to iceberg lettuce, has raged on this summer.

— Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
With wars still raging in the Middle East and Ukraine — and turbulence escalating globally — artists on the film festival circuit have been navigating political minefields.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rage

Noun

In May 2020, Loughlin and Mossimo pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud after they were accused of paying $500,000 for their daughters’ admission into the University of Southern California.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Will there be anybody available on the waiver wire who would walk through the door and, without a single day in the playbook, be a better option to protect Burrow’s blind side than Foster?

— Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of wire

Verb

The monsters of the original — the Cyclops and the sirens — are replaced by drones that buzz across the stage and models of robotic war machines.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
And as Forte mentioned, the film is being released amid glowing reviews and very positive audience buzz.

— Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of buzz

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briskness

bristle

bristled

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Style

“Bristle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristle. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bristle

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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