bristled; bristling
ˈbris-liŋ 
ˈbri-sə-
1
: to furnish with short stiff coarse hairs or filaments : to furnish with bristles
1
a
: to rise and stand stiffly erect
quills bristling
b
: to raise the bristles (as in anger)
a snarling, bristling dog
2
: to take on an aggressively defensive attitude (as in response to a slight or criticism)
he bristled at the accusations of corruption
3
a
: to be full of or covered with especially something suggestive of bristles
roofs bristled with chimneys
b
: to be full of something specified
book bristles with detail and irony—
W. J. Broad
W. J. BroadExamples of bristle in a Sentence
Noun
a face covered with bristles
the bristles of a brush
Verb
Electricity makes your hair bristle.
a recent college grad thrilled to be starting a new life in a city bristling with possibilities
Recent Examples on the Web
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2025
Use lots of suds and a soft bristle brush to clean the frame, handlebars, wheels and saddle.
—George Petras, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
This week, it was reported that Cabinet members, including Rubio, have bristled at some of the actions taken by Musk with the Department of Government Efficiency.
—Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bristle
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Noun
The only thing left was to attach the bristle brush to the hose and get to cleaning.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2025
Use lots of suds and a soft bristle brush to clean the frame, handlebars, wheels and saddle.
—George Petras, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Other Cabinet members also reportedly have bristled at Musk’s power.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
This week, it was reported that Cabinet members, including Rubio, have bristled at some of the actions taken by Musk with the Department of Government Efficiency.
—Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bristle
Cite this Entry
“Bristle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bristle. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bristle
1 of 2 noun
bris·tle
ˈbris-əl
: a short stiff hair or something like a hair
bristled
adjective
-əld
bristly
adjective
-(ə-)lē
bristle
2 of 2 verb
bristled; bristling
-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to rise up and stiffen like bristles
makes your hair bristle
quills bristling in all directions
2
: to show signs of anger
bristled at the insult
3
: to appear as if covered with bristles
a harbor bristling with the masts of ships
bristly
adjective
-(ə-)lē
Medical Definition
bristle
noun
bris·tle
ˈbris-əl
: a short stiff coarse hair or filament
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