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
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 bristles
Sunshine Flint, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
On the downside, bristles that aren’t pliable may scratch some surfaces.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Five people have swallowed the metal bristles and needed medical treatment as a result.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
One side of the brush features short, dense bristles that deposit rich black color and build volume, while the longer bristles on the other side help guide lashes upward.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 Mar. 2026
Nexgrill is aware of at least 68 reports of bristles detaching, including five cases that required medical treatment, the CPSC said.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Many have wind‑catching bristles.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Retractable bristles are also almost always preferred.
—Jacob Little, Space.com, 14 Mar. 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
Noun
For a spruce-up dusting, use a brush with natural bristles to get into the crevices between the spines and on top of the books.
—Sunshine Flint, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
On the downside, bristles that aren’t pliable may scratch some surfaces.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Five people have swallowed the metal bristles and needed medical treatment as a result.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
One side of the brush features short, dense bristles that deposit rich black color and build volume, while the longer bristles on the other side help guide lashes upward.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 Mar. 2026
Nexgrill is aware of at least 68 reports of bristles detaching, including five cases that required medical treatment, the CPSC said.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Many have wind‑catching bristles.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Retractable bristles are also almost always preferred.
—Jacob Little, Space.com, 14 Mar. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristles
Noun
-
The solid, neutral design and stain-resistant fibers of this area rug give it a classic look that works well on patios and decks.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
-
This is made of cellulose spun into the fibers.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 60-year immigration bubble finally bursts.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Once a cushioned conduit to the other side, the casket now bursts with the wisdom of a life lived outside the box.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her humiliation is laid bare for everyone in the room — the Easter brunch has gone totally awry — and Ines storms out at the end of her performance.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
High pressure also spins clockwise, deflecting moisture and storms off to the north and keeping dry air underneath it.—
Zoe Mintz,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These white threads are cloaked in sheaths of chitin — the same sugar polymer that forms the tough exoskeletons of beetles, crabs, and lobsters — and can be easily grown in flasks and Petri dishes.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
And brightly colored spools of bare fiber in green, blue and orange offered a glimpse into the digital threads that will power the future of artificial intelligence and data centers around North Carolina and the country.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Amid the population boom, Folsom buzzes with a new vibrancy, as its historic Gold Rush-era downtown is thriving and its surrounding lakes and trails offer plenty of outdoor recreation — and the secret’s getting out.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
As the pensive Moon wanders into your vocal 3rd house, your mind buzzes with activity.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The debate over ‘AGI’ rages on’ Last week, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang claimed that AGI—artificial general intelligence—had already been achieved.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
And the war in Ukraine rages on.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 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
-
Cecilia, or, Memoirs of an Heiress brims with irony, withering dialogue, psychosocial revelation and astute moral inquiry.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The night brims with awe-striking phenomena—not just stars and auroras but glowing mushrooms, sparkly plankton, bustling night markets, and shimmery fireflies.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bristles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristles. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
