1
: the headgear with which a horse is governed and which carries a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 2a) and reins
2
: a length of line or cable attached to two parts of something (such as a ship) to spread the force of a pull
especially
: rigging on a kite for attaching line
bridled; bridling
ˈbrīd-liŋ 
ˈbrī-dᵊl-iŋ
1
: to put a harness with which a horse is governed on the head of : to put a bridle (see bridle entry 1 sense 1) on
bridle a horse
2
: to restrain, check, or control with or as if with a bridle
bridle your tongue
was forced to bridle her anger
: to show hostility or resentment (as to an affront to one's pride or dignity) especially by drawing back the head and chin
military commanders who had bridled against … interference—
Time
TimeSynonyms
Examples of bridle in a Sentence
Verb
try to bridle your criticism next time so that it is helpful and not hurtful
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Malach, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
The photo shows several horses wearing bridles, which are typically used for attaching reins or linking the horses to a line of other pack animals.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 28 Sep. 2024
Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024
Part of it was Li Na herself, who had bridled under and then broken away from the state system, which traditionally controlled the tournaments its players participated in, and obligated a player to commit a large percentage of professional earnings to the government.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bridle 
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Noun
Although the Hermès brand was built on equestrian staples like saddles and bridles, today, the house is better known for its handbags.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
The photo shows several horses wearing bridles, which are typically used for attaching reins or linking the horses to a line of other pack animals.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 28 Sep. 2024
Verb
Observers outside Russia have often assumed that young Russians are bridling under the Putin regime and that any real change in the country’s political culture will require a generational shift in its power structure.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024
Part of it was Li Na herself, who had bridled under and then broken away from the state system, which traditionally controlled the tournaments its players participated in, and obligated a player to commit a large percentage of professional earnings to the government.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bridle
Articles Related to bridle
Dictionary Entries Near bridle
Cite this Entry
“Bridle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bridle. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bridle
1 of 2 noun
bri·dle
ˈbrīd-ᵊl
1
: a device for controlling a horse made up of a set of straps enclosing the head, a bit, and a pair of reins
2
: something that works or is used like a bridle
3
: restraint sense 2
set a bridle on his power
bridle
2 of 2 verb
bridled; bridling
ˈbrīd-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to put a bridle on
2
: to hold back with or as if with a bridle
bridled her anger
3
: to hold the head high and draw in the chin as a show of resentment
bridle at criticism
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