BRISTLE Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

bristle 1 of 2

noun

ˈbri-səl

Definition of bristle

as in fiber

a thin, flexible structure that resembles a hair a hairbrush with plastic bristles

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bristle

2 of 2

verb

as in to burst

to be copiously supplied a recent college grad thrilled to be starting a new life in a city bristling with possibilities

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to storm

to express one's anger usually violently the man bristled at the accusation, and threatened to file a lawsuit

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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 bristle

Noun

Barnes likes the double-sided brush, which has short, spiky bristles on one side to lift the base of the lashes and a mini lash comb on the other side to separate and lengthen. — Micaela English, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2026 Privately, those close to Eckert bristle against that perception of him. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

At a busy early voting site on Madison's north side, even some of Hong's supporters bristled at some of her controversial positions. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 When some senators pressed him on the memos’ content, Roberts bristled. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bristle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bristle

Noun

From Long Island to orbit The new FSO connection is not intended to replace fiber.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026
Some appeal appraisals have relied on sales of much smaller or older buildings, or buildings in less desirable areas without access to the same power and fiber lines.

— Alex Nitkin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of fiber

Verb

Chinese authorities also warned that a barrier lake, which formed at the confluence of the Tsogyal and the Purupqiangzangbu rivers, is overflowing and may burst.

— Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Sip local wines like Norton or Vignoles, hop around downtown, or wander through orchards bursting with ripe apples while leaves crunch underfoot.

— Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of burst

Verb

Gauff, who won the 2023 title beating Karolina Muchova, stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the first set on Sunday before winning 6-2.

— Jeff Wallner, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Or what about storming the field, the tradition that follows a momentous win, when order dissolves and players brace themselves for a horde of fans pouring out of the stands.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of storm

Noun

Social media threads are filled with people arguing over whether Pluto should be grandfathered into the planetary club, whether dwarf planets are simply another kind of planet, and whether the distinction matters at all.

— Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Tang’s latest study, published Monday in the journal JAMA Network Open, analyzed more than 3 million patient message threads from the Mass General Brigham electronic health record system.

— Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of thread

Verb

Infants may act sluggish or not active, vomit, be unusually fussy, face poor feeding, show a bulging soft spot on the head, or show poor reflexes.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Padmini came in about ten minutes later, carrying a net bag bulging with okra and shiny gourds.

— Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of bulge

Verb

The deadly multistate outbreak, linked to iceberg lettuce, has raged on this summer.

— Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
With wars still raging in the Middle East and Ukraine — and turbulence escalating globally — artists on the film festival circuit have been navigating political minefields.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rage

Verb

Summary Tonight, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is buzzing for the WBA welterweight title clash between Rolly Romero and Teofimo Lopez.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Smith’s chemistry with Mitchell has been buzzing since the spring, but his connection with the Jets’ top receiver has been building all summer.

— Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of buzz

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briskness

bristle

bristled

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“Bristle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bristle. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bristle

noun

verb

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