bristle
noun
one of the short, stiff, coarse hairs of certain animals, especially hogs, used extensively in making brushes.
bristled
-
past participleof bristle.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof bristle.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
bristlenounone of the short, stiff, coarse hairs of certain animals, especially hogs, used extensively in making brushes.
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.
Aronowitz has bristled at this sort of criticism.
From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026
Customers have bristled at the higher upfront cost and have mentioned in online reviews that they wish the tiles had perforations for more adjustable dosing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
Standout reporting on Colossal has been done by Michael Le Page of the British journal New Scientist, whose most recent article bristled with skeptical takes about the hatchling announcement from established scientists.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026
In one, he visibly bristled when the Joyce defeat was raised.
From BBC ● May 10, 2026
Mother seemed pleased by the skeins of new wool that she pulled from her own bag, which bristled with needles of every size.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
