as in to control
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
try to bridle your criticism next time so that it is helpful and not hurtful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 bridle
The Trump administration accused UC Berkeley of failing to disclose millions of dollars in foreign funding on Friday, touting muscular new enforcement of an obscure federal rule amid ongoing efforts to bridle America’s top research institutions.
—
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
During his first term in office, President Donald Trump bridled under various Watergate-era mechanisms passed to provide oversight to the executive branch.
—Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
Well, bridled a little, in that Molly engages in some bondage play as the show goes on.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Weaker firms may bridle at the costs of compliance; some will go out of business.
—James K. Galbraith, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2019
See All Example Sentences for bridle
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
During his first term in office, President Donald Trump bridled under various Watergate-era mechanisms passed to provide oversight to the executive branch.
—Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
Well, bridled a little, in that Molly engages in some bondage play as the show goes on.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Weaker firms may bridle at the costs of compliance; some will go out of business.
—James K. Galbraith, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2019
See All Example Sentences for bridle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bridle
Verb
-
The war in Myanmar has displaced millions, divided the country into military- and non-military-controlled areas, and gutted the economy and healthcare system.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
-
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, PSP is caused by damage to nerve cells in areas of the brain that control thinking and body movements.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this year the company released a REST API that lets regulated financial platforms bolt blockchain wallet functionality onto their existing products.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Indeed, sodium is one of the body’s key electrolytes – a group of minerals that help regulate fluid balance and other important functions.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
In California, however, consumer demands to curb utility profits have not been heeded.—
Marc Levy,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
-
In July 2025, Milei’s government reduced export taxes on beef and poultry and removed production quotas to encourage overseas sales, reversing part of the restrictions imposed under former President Alberto Fernández to curb rising domestic prices.—
Clara Preve,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The Adam Lippes design replaced the cleaner line of the tuxedo with a wider skirt and a more formal portrait neckline, keeping the color restrained while giving the silhouette more volume.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
-
Economists have pointed to the data-center buildout as a possible driver of demand for construction labor in 2026, even as homebuilding continues to be restrained by elevated interest rates.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Hormones take the child’s body at puberty and conjure from it the adult form, directing the ovaries to mature their eggs or the testicles to produce sperm, each of these gametes containing the potential to create new life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Rare works by Joan Miró adorn the sixth-floor Presidential Suite, while the Royal Suite contains lithographs and modern artworks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The show gives the 11-year-old book a modern polish but keeps the slow-burn journey of lust and love.—
Jennifer McClellan,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
Duff said that while lawmakers largely supported the provision and wanted to see state tourism dollars increase, it was left out due to funding concerns and needing to keep the state’s budget balanced.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Across three timelines, Seydoux inhabits the story of a woman exploring her past lives and seeking to tame her emotions; to do so will enable her to be a better cog in the economy of a future world defined by artificial intelligence.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
For Newsom, that means his only viable option to tame California's fuel prices may be to waive the state's fuel specifications to reduce the need for alkylates, GasBuddy's De Haan said.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The optics—underclad, mostly Black young men having their hands and limbs measured to the eighth of an inch, then paraded for physical evaluation—have reliably drawn comparisons to slave markets.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
The interior measures 33 sq m (355 sq ft) and is finished in what looks like drywall, with its wood tones and white walls creating a Scandi feel.—
Adam Williams
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bridle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bridle. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
