bristled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bristled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reaction of anger, annoyance, or defensiveness, often in response to a comment or situation. Example: "She bristled at the suggestion that she was not qualified for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He bristled (bristling easily) when others described the Javan warties as skittish, inbred and not worth so much attention; every species, he would argue over pages of e-mails, needed both advocates, like him, and all possible attention.

The Economist

As at Brighton, where Damian McBride's allies and enemies bristled at each other, the atmosphere in the press seats at Manchester could prove distinctly frosty.

The Guardian

Herrington bristled to see orange-jumpsuited detainees carried to wooden shacks by guards and shackled to the floor – techniques that reinforced the detainees' anger at their confinement, undercutting the rapports Herrington advised would be critical for getting them to talk.

The Guardian

Knight's willingness to risk the unorthodox provided initial impetus, while Stewart bossed and bristled like an army captain, never more so than with a straight six off Paul Strang.

The Guardian - Sport

In response he bristled that there were two types of stories, those that merited much less than 600 words and those on which he would like to write many more, "but there is nothing about which I would like to write exactly 600 words".

The Guardian - Sport

Finns bristled at having to help what they saw as feckless foreigners, kicking out the Kiviniemi government in April last year and bringing in a new coalition.

The Guardian - Business

Ms Wood bristled at the idea that the votes of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Greens may be automatically in the "back pocket" of Mr Miliband and his party.

The Economist

IN HIS final years, Richard Nixon always bristled when he brooded about it, and he did so a lot.

The Economist

A friend and former colleague who grew up in Texas often bristled when New Yorkers kvetched about stores like Borders.

The Economist

In recent days tensions between Estonia and Finland have surfaced in the press after an Estonian member of parliament bristled publicly at the neighbours.Late last week the Finnish president, Tarja Halonen, said in a broadcast interview that Finland need not adopt a "stern" line against Russia as the Baltic states had done.

The Economist

The grande dame of letters bristled; her criticism was learned and authoritative, she growled, not some self-indulgent thought experiment".The Fun Stuff", Mr Wood's third collection of essays, does not feel like the work of someone still being schooled.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bristled" to vividly portray a sudden, often involuntary, reaction of annoyance or defensiveness. It's particularly effective when describing someone's immediate response to a perceived insult or challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "bristled" to simply mean 'disagreed'. It implies a more visceral, emotional reaction than a simple difference of opinion. Choose a word like 'disagreed' or 'objected' if the context doesn't warrant a sense of offense or anger.

Linguistic Context

The word "bristled" primarily functions as a verb, typically in the past tense. It describes a reaction of annoyance, irritation, or defensiveness. Ludwig examples show its usage in news and media, reflecting emotional responses to statements or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

21%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bristled" is a verb used to describe a sudden display of irritation, indignation, or defensiveness, a conclusion fully confirmed by Ludwig's AI. Its usage is prevalent in news, media and encyclopedic sources, fitting within a neutral register. When deploying "bristled", ensure it reflects a genuine emotional reaction, rather than a mere disagreement. Alternative phrases such as "reacted defensively" or "became indignant", offer subtle variations in meaning, while the abundance of examples showcases its widespread applicability in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reacted defensively

Emphasizes a protective response, shifting focus from anger to self-defense.

became indignant

Highlights a sense of righteous anger or offense taken.

took offense

Focuses on the feeling of being insulted or wronged.

showed resentment

Implies a lingering feeling of bitterness or displeasure.

displayed irritation

Indicates a mild form of annoyance or impatience.

expressed displeasure

A more formal way of showing dissatisfaction or disapproval.

objected strongly

Highlights a firm opposition or disagreement.

responded sharply

Emphasizes the abrupt and potentially aggressive nature of the response.

recoiled in anger

Suggests a physical or emotional withdrawal due to strong negative feelings.

defended oneself vehemently

Focuses on a forceful and passionate defense of one's actions or beliefs.

FAQs

How can I use "bristled" in a sentence?

The word "bristled" is typically used to describe a sudden display of indignation, irritation or defensiveness. For instance, "He "bristled" at the suggestion that his work was not up to par."

What are some alternatives to saying someone "bristled"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "reacted defensively", "became indignant", or "took offense" as alternatives to "bristled".

Is it correct to say someone "bristled with excitement"?

While "bristled" generally implies a negative reaction, it can, in rare cases, suggest a strong emotional response, but this is less common. It's usually better to use a more precise word like "trembled with excitement" or "buzzed with excitement" to describe positive emotions.

What's the difference between "bristled" and "flinched"?

"Bristled" implies an outward show of annoyance or defensiveness, often verbal, while "flinched" suggests a physical reaction, usually a sudden recoil or wince, often due to fear or pain. They describe different types of responses.