Synonyms for Bristly (same or very similar meaning)
WordNet sense 1 (very irritable):
prickly, splenetic, waspish
WordNet sense 2 (having an irritable and unpleasant disposition):
ill-natured
WordNet sense 3 (having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.):
barbed, barbellate, spiny, thorny, setaceous, briary, briery, bristled, burred, burry, setose
WordNet sense 4 ((used of plants and animals) furnished with bristles and thorns):
armed
From the ODE community, based on WordNet
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