bristle

[bris-uhl] / ˈbrɪs əl /

NOUN

short, prickly hair

Synonyms

STRONG

barb feeler fiber point prickle quill spine stubble thorn vibrissa whisker

VERB

become upset, excited

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bridle fume seethe

STRONG

boil flare rage rise ruffle spit swell

WEAK

be angry be infuriated be maddened blow up boil over flare up get one's dander up see red stand on end

Antonyms

STRONGEST

be happy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So what gets me to bristle a little bit is that when I have to talk about that, that means — respectfully — I’m talking to somebody who doesn’t know anything about me.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Russia's tone, and the attempt to steal the initiative, will make Ukrainians bristle.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

And if interviewers bristle at questions or dodge them, that could be a red flag.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

They’re the ones who bristle the most when you have DOJ lawyers acting as though this is just a big funny Jell-O-wrestling tournament.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

The mention of the bird makes him bristle.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Vocabulary lists containing bristle

Instead of "Said": Vexed Verbiage to Express Anger

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"Of Mice and Men"

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

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