1
2
as in storms
to express one's anger usually violently
the man bristled at the accusation, and threatened to file a lawsuit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of bristles
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
India bristles as Pakistan has its diplomatic moment Indian political elites are discomforted by regional rival Pakistan’s outsized role in US-Iran peace talks, but there are some bright spots for New Delhi, analysts argued.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
And finally, follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines1 of when to replace toothbrushes, which is every three to four months for adults (or, if the bristles become frayed), and more often for children.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Wyle bristles at the idea that Robby must remain a saint, or that this is out of step with who Robby was from the start.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
If pride bristles, breathe and frame feedback as an invitation to make the work shine brighter than any ego.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
In February, Weber voluntarily recalled 3 million brushes after at least 38 reports of small wire bristles breaking, including four reports of consumers swallowing bristles.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Its stiff, natural coir bristles will grab onto mud and dirt that often comes with the arrival of spring weather.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2026
Since rats can’t chew through metal bristles, these provide better protection than standard rubber sweeps.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026
Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Salt, responding to this charge, bristles a touch at being called mainstream and says her taste is more complex.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
Shirley bristles at being labeled an influencer in press coverage.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026
As much as Payton bristles about media storylines and huffs about tempo questions, the Broncos went 25 minutes without a first down against Las Vegas.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Nov. 2025
Ross bristles at the comparison.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Durham skillfully builds the insular world of a top Russian ballet school, and the atmosphere bristles with competition, flirtation, and intrigue.
—April Austin, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
There is a slider on the left side to pop out the cleaning bristles, and underneath is a microfiber surface.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
India bristles as Pakistan has its diplomatic moment Indian political elites are discomforted by regional rival Pakistan’s outsized role in US-Iran peace talks, but there are some bright spots for New Delhi, analysts argued.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
And finally, follow the American Dental Association’s guidelines1 of when to replace toothbrushes, which is every three to four months for adults (or, if the bristles become frayed), and more often for children.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Wyle bristles at the idea that Robby must remain a saint, or that this is out of step with who Robby was from the start.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
If pride bristles, breathe and frame feedback as an invitation to make the work shine brighter than any ego.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
In February, Weber voluntarily recalled 3 million brushes after at least 38 reports of small wire bristles breaking, including four reports of consumers swallowing bristles.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Its stiff, natural coir bristles will grab onto mud and dirt that often comes with the arrival of spring weather.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2026
Since rats can’t chew through metal bristles, these provide better protection than standard rubber sweeps.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
Anderson bristles at the notion of any one-size-fits-all philosophy to correcting the problem of strikeouts.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Salt, responding to this charge, bristles a touch at being called mainstream and says her taste is more complex.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
Shirley bristles at being labeled an influencer in press coverage.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026
As much as Payton bristles about media storylines and huffs about tempo questions, the Broncos went 25 minutes without a first down against Las Vegas.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Nov. 2025
Ross bristles at the comparison.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Durham skillfully builds the insular world of a top Russian ballet school, and the atmosphere bristles with competition, flirtation, and intrigue.
—April Austin, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristles
Noun
-
This extends Global Standard’s system‑level approach beyond organic fibers.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Think 360-degree stretch, lightweight breathable fibers that dry almost as fast as athletic shorts, and an antimicrobial treatment that keeps them smelling and feeling fresh in between washes.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Haaland bursts our bubble almost immediately by scoring in the opening five minutes, and Burnley miss a few good first-half chances, with striker Zian Flemming particularly culpable.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The 60-year immigration bubble finally bursts.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Blanche says on Monday that the noises correspond with the time the suspect allegedly storms the Secret Service security checkpoint on the floor above the ballroom.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Inflamed by Ratansen’s adviser’s account of Padmavati’s beauty, Alauddin Khalji storms the fortress by treachery rather than valor.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The book is lyrically written and highly informative, diving deep into the common threads and tropes of estrangement in search of clarity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Baker-Burke moment at Dodger Stadium remains the most widely cited, but the Louisville claim carries real weight — and the cultural threads running through military history and Black American vernacular suggest the gesture may not have had a single inventor at all.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the boarding house buzzes around him.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
-
At night, Bar Dryce buzzes with hip city-dwellers and, on weekends, DJ sets.—
Regan Stephens,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s something about it that rages and burns, especially among young women who process their emotions through melody and melodrama.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
-
That said, that growth has stalled as the Middle East conflict rages on.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a brain aneurysm is a weakened area in an artery that bulges outward and fills with blood.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The show brims with stories that once chiseled their way out of one determined Black, Indigenous woman’s heart and hands.—
Tyehimba Jess,
ARTnews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Named after a 17th-century swashbuckling sailor, Jost Van Dyke brims with a bravado that would make even a pirate proud.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bristles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristles. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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