Pronunciation: /ˈbrɪsəlɪŋ/
verb to react angrily or defensively
A1 The cat was bristling with fear.
A2 The dog bristled at the sight of the stranger.
B1 The politician bristled at the tough questions from the reporters.
B2 The manager bristled at the suggestion that his team was underperforming.
C1 The professor bristled at the student's interruption during the lecture.
C2 The CEO bristled at the competitor's attempts to poach his top employees.
adjective showing signs of anger or irritation
A1 The cat's fur was bristling as it arched its back in fear.
A2 She felt her hair bristling with excitement as she approached the finish line.
B1 The dog's bristling fur indicated that it was ready to defend its territory.
B2 The tension in the room was palpable, with everyone's emotions bristling just below the surface.
C1 His bristling response to the criticism showed just how sensitive he was to any form of feedback.
C2 The political debate was filled with bristling arguments and heated exchanges.
adverb in a bristling manner
A1 The cat's fur was bristling with anger.
A2 She walked into the room, bristling with confidence.
B1 The teacher entered the classroom, bristling with energy.
B2 The politician's speech left the audience bristling with anticipation.
C1 The chef's culinary skills had the critics bristling with excitement.
C2 The author's new book had readers bristling with curiosity.
formal The soldier stood at attention, his bristling demeanor showing his readiness for battle.
informal She walked into the party with a bristling attitude, ready to confront anyone who crossed her.
slang The coach was bristling with anger after the referee made a bad call.
figurative The tension in the room was palpable, with emotions bristling beneath the surface.
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