Definition bristle in American English

bristle verb

[intransitive] verb

/ˈbrɪs(ə)l/

to be angry or offended about something

Example

He bristled at the suggestion that he was like his father.

Synonyms and related words

bristle take umbrage (at something) take offense (at something) lose your temper (with) see red lose it

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if an animal's fur bristles, it sticks up because the animal is angry or afraid

Synonyms and related words

beach bite bite

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