Definition bristle in British 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

take offence (at something) bristle take umbrage (at something) lose your temper (with) go mad see red

Explore Thesaurus

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

Synonyms and related words

beach bite bite

Explore Thesaurus