bristly/ˈbrɪstli/Comparativemore bristlySuperlativemost bristly1Having stiff, short, and coarse hairs or bristles growing closely together2having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.Synonyms: briarybarbedbarbellatepricklysetaceousbrierythornysetosespinyburredbristledburry3very irritableSynonyms: spleneticpricklywaspish