bristly/ˈbrɪstli/Comparativemore bristlySuperlativemost bristly1Having stiff, short, and coarse hairs or bristles growing closely togetherCopy2having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.CopySynonyms: briarybarbedbarbellatepricklysetaceousbrierythornysetosespinyburredbristledburry3very irritableCopySynonyms: spleneticpricklywaspish