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 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 The judge also bridled that OPM's acting director, Charles Ezell, and his senior adviser, Noah Peters, did not attend the hearing. Emily Feng, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for bridle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bridle
Verb
  • The top three contributors to hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 3 Aug. 2025
  • However, there's a significant difference between containing and controlling a wildfire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • At some point, perhaps, Congress might even craft legislation that gives more direct guidance on how the EPA should regulate greenhouse gases.
    Justin Worland, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The crypto law, known in the chambers as Bill No. 247, is a renewed and more robust legislative effort to regulate cryptoassets in Panama, introduced in 2025 by Alternate Deputy Solís.
    Javier Bastardo, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Streets included in the network are focus areas in a citywide effort to curb the number of vehicle crashes with injuries.
    Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 29 July 2025
  • The two nations struck a significant deal nearly two years ago, pledging to ramp up renewables and curb planet-warming gases.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • In the first six months of this year alone, more than 2,000 firearm transactions were denied through background checks, for reasons that include past assault convictions, restraining orders, traffic offenses and more, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
    Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2025
  • As officers made their way, community members stopped Sultan from attacking the child further by restraining her, police said.
    Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Her rental car, containing her suitcase and all of her belongings, is towed.
    Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 25 July 2025
  • This post contains minor spoilers for Happy Gilmore 2. Nearly 30 years ago, Christopher McDonald left an indelible mark on pop culture with his performance as smarmy professional golfer Shooter McGavin in the 1996 sports comedy classic Happy Gilmore.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Excited to keep working to bring championships to LA and make Laker Nation proud.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Chip seal contractors just have to keep the liquid asphalt hot in special heated tanker trucks.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The electric guitar enjoys a bit of bite, but the thin transients strike again and tame the hi-hat hits and the acoustic guitar.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 23 July 2025
  • One by one, nearly all these great factories, those that helped fight the Hun and the Nazis, that had won the West and tamed the kitchen, and that had helped keep America’s pants off the ground were shutting down.
    Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • Each group was administered C. difficile weekly for four weeks, and their microbiota was examined to measure bacterial load and C. difficile resistance.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2025
  • To measure the changes in kakapo parasites over centuries, the researchers in New Zealand relied on droppings.
    New York Times, New York Times, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bridle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bridle. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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