bridle

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bridle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bridle are check, curb, and restrain. While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Where would check be a reasonable alternative to bridle?

The meanings of check and bridle largely overlap; however, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

When could curb be used to replace bridle?

Although the words curb and bridle have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

When would restrain be a good substitute for bridle?

The words restrain and bridle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

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 Disney has had major friction with Charter Communications and DirecTV over the past couple of years as those operators have bridled at Disney’s demands for higher fees. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025 Though there have been just 15 ballot initiatives that became law in Idaho in more than 112 years, the state GOP has increasingly bridled at successful signature drives, which have led to Medicaid expansion and higher education funding. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2025 On the ground, soldiers bridled at having to fight an impossible, unpopular war, and turmoil spread through the ranks. Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025 Some diplomats bridle at the very idea of haggling with the Taliban, saying that the rights of women and girls are nonnegotiable. Delaney Simon, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bridle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bridle
Verb
  • But President Trump, and the Republican Party—which controls both Houses of Congress --are united on the bill’s main objective.
    Richard McGahey, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • While the federal government, not the state, regulates immigration, how should state and local personnel and resources be utilized for that end?
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
  • Does the rule maker want to get into the business of regulating KPIs by industry?
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • But the Malian army and Russian mercenaries struggled to curb violence in the country and have both been accused of targeting civilians.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025
  • And in April 2024, Venice became the first metropolis in the world to charge an admission fee to day trippers, in an effort to curb over tourism.
    Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Wohlwend, smiling at times from the courtroom well, was among the staffers who restrained Max face down for nearly two hours in November 2018 after the boy spat at another classmate, according to a lawsuit filed on behalf of Max’s family following his death.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025
  • Officers restrained Padilla and put him on the ground.
    Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • This newsletter contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • As of Friday evening, the blaze has been fully contained.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Grateful for their progress and will continue to keep them in our prayers.
    Peter Aitken Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • So Far The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time The band’s guitar-heavy music, inspired by U.K. New Wave group the Jam, is what keeps those live shows enthralling.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • Simply rubbing the leaves with a drizzle of oil and citrus juice, along with a pinch of salt, will soften the hearty leaves and tame their earthy flavor.
    Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 4 June 2025
  • The best hairsprays provide the ultimate triple threat: holding strands in place for hours, taming frizz, and enhancing texture—no helmet-head in sight.
    Lisa DeSantis, Glamour, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Szostak went on to show that in a case like this, functional information can be measured experimentally.
    Philip Ball, Wired News, 8 June 2025
  • The telescope will be used to observe the radio sky at frequencies below 50 MHz and will measure the low-frequency foreground of the universe.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bridle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bridle. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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