bristle
Translation
to stand on end, to react angrily, to be covered with
Examples
The dog's fur bristled.
The dog's fur bristled.
He bristled at the suggestion.
He bristled at the suggestion.
The city bristled with skyscrapers.
The city bristled with skyscrapers.
Grammar Patterns
((sb./sth.)) bristle (for hair/fur to stand up) The dog's fur bristled.
((sb.)) bristle ((at sth.)) (to react angrily to sth.) He bristled at the suggestion.
((sth.)) bristle ((with sth.)) (to be full of sth.) The city bristled with skyscrapers.
Similar Words
Synonyms: (react angrily) get angry, take offense; (stand up) stand on end
Etymology
From the noun 'bristle' (a short, stiff hair). The verb comes from the image of these hairs standing on end.
Memory Tips
Think of the bristles of a brush standing up straight. When a person 'bristles', their metaphorical hairs are standing on end with anger.