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Definition of bristling

bristling

/ˈbrɪs.lɪŋ/
bris · tling
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bristling Lexical Profile

bristling Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Visibly agitated, indignant, or defensive with anger or irritation.

Example

"He delivered a bristling response to the committee's accusations of financial mismanagement."

2

Having or covered with stiff, upright hairs, spines, or projections.

Example

"The wild boar had a coarse, bristling coat that helped protect it from thorny underbrush."

3

Abounding or thickly crowded with things, activities, or difficulties.

Example

"The legal contract was a complex document bristling with technical clauses and conditions."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

bristlemouth
bristletooth
bristliness
bristling
bristly
bristol
brit

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the verb 'bristle', which derives from Middle English 'bristel', a diminutive of Old English 'byrst' meaning a stiff hair on a pig's back.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bristling. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bristling
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