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

Chinese authorities also warned that a barrier lake, which formed at the confluence of the Tsogyal and the Purupqiangzangbu rivers, is overflowing and may burst.

— Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Sip local wines like Norton or Vignoles, hop around downtown, or wander through orchards bursting with ripe apples while leaves crunch underfoot.

— Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of burst

Verb

Gauff, who won the 2023 title beating Karolina Muchova, stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the first set on Sunday before winning 6-2.

— Jeff Wallner, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Or what about storming the field, the tradition that follows a momentous win, when order dissolves and players brace themselves for a horde of fans pouring out of the stands.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 23 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

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
Padmini came in about ten minutes later, carrying a net bag bulging with okra and shiny gourds.

— Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 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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“Bristle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristle. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bristle

noun

verb

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