1. short, stiff hairs or hair-like structures
2. stiff fibers used in brushes

1. to show anger or irritation
2. to stand up stiffly like bristles

Examples

• The porcupine’s bristles stood up when it felt threatened.
• She used a brush with natural bristles to paint the fence.
• The old paintbrush had lost most of its bristles.
• He bristles whenever someone criticizes his work.
• Her hair bristles with static electricity in dry weather.
• The cat’s fur bristles when it sees a dog.
• The toothbrush bristles were too hard for her sensitive gums.