as in to control
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
try to bridle your criticism next time so that it is helpful and not hurtful
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Recent Examples of bridle
Though there have been just 15 ballot initiatives that became law in Idaho in more than 112 years, the state GOP has increasingly bridled at successful signature drives, which have led to Medicaid expansion and higher education funding.
—
Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2025
On the ground, soldiers bridled at having to fight an impossible, unpopular war, and turmoil spread through the ranks.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Some diplomats bridle at the very idea of haggling with the Taliban, saying that the rights of women and girls are nonnegotiable.
—Delaney Simon, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2025
Tchaikovsky’s symphonic ambitions bridle against their keyboard constraints in his early C-sharp sonata; Trifonov tapped both fluidity and clarity out of the bloat.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bridle
Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2025
On the ground, soldiers bridled at having to fight an impossible, unpopular war, and turmoil spread through the ranks.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Some diplomats bridle at the very idea of haggling with the Taliban, saying that the rights of women and girls are nonnegotiable.
—Delaney Simon, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2025
Tchaikovsky’s symphonic ambitions bridle against their keyboard constraints in his early C-sharp sonata; Trifonov tapped both fluidity and clarity out of the bloat.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bridle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bridle
Verb
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In addition to money for public broadcasting, the White House wants to send back money aimed at controlling the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDs, programs related to women's health and gender issues, and environment and climate change research.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
4 June 2025
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Asos sold the majority stake in the business for $178 million to the Danish fashion business controlled by the major Asos shareholder Anders Povlsen, who already owns popular European retail brands including Jack & Jones and Vero Moda via his Bestseller business.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Despite the encroachment of people in their natural habitats, alligators remain an important predator regulating ecosystem populations in the nation’s wetlands.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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That ruling was compromised somewhat by a later decision that allowed a farmer’s consumption of his own wheat to be regulated, and a lamentable 6-3 decision allowing federal regulation of marijuana possession.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The plaintiffs contend that laws targeting political deepfakes, particularly those aimed at curbing election misinformation, risk silencing legitimate satire and expression.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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South Korea’s central bank on Thursday raised its policy rate to curb inflation, delivering six back-to-back rate hikes for the first time.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
Verb
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The motion requests the judge to restrain all members of Trump’s administration from enforcing the order.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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In June 2024, the high court upheld a ban on firearm purchases and possession by Americans under domestic violence restraining orders.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The dust from Worlds Collide will have to settle quickly as the attention will turn to Money in the Bank as six men and six women, respectively, will look to grab the briefcase which contains a contract for a world title shot anytime, anywhere.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2025
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As of Friday evening, the blaze has been fully contained.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Except for what keeps coming up in this most interesting of books.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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If that kind of freaks you out, keep this in mind: The right diet can have a positive impact on aging—and that includes the aging brain.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Simply rubbing the leaves with a drizzle of oil and citrus juice, along with a pinch of salt, will soften the hearty leaves and tame their earthy flavor.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
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The best hairsprays provide the ultimate triple threat: holding strands in place for hours, taming frizz, and enhancing texture—no helmet-head in sight.—
Lisa DeSantis,
Glamour,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The most telling way to measure Timber’s impact is that, even when White returned from injury in February, Arteta stuck with the Dutchman until he was lost to the ankle problem that kept him out for the final month of the season.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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The telescope will be used to observe the radio sky at frequencies below 50 MHz and will measure the low-frequency foreground of the universe.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bridle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bridle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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