What does bridled mean?
"Bridled" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "bridle," which has both a literal and a figurative meaning. Literally, it means to fit a horse with a bridle — the headgear used to guide and control it. Figuratively, it means to restrain or check something, most commonly an emotion such as anger or impatience, as in "she bridled her temper." It also carries a second, very common figurative sense: to react with visible indignation or offended pride, as in "he bridled at the criticism." This reaction sense suggests a sudden stiffening of dignity, much like a horse resisting the bit. The word appears frequently in literary and journalistic prose, lending a slightly formal, vivid quality to descriptions of suppressed feeling or affronted reactions.
Simple past tense and past participle of "bride": to put a bridle on a horse; to restrain or check an emotion or impulse; or (with "at") to react with indignation or offended pride.
"The ambassador bridled at the reporter's pointed question."
The indignant-reaction sense usually takes "at" and describes an outward display rather than merely internal feeling.
Describing something that has been restrained or kept in check, especially emotions or behavior (often in contrast with "unbridled").
"His bridled enthusiasm suggested he had been disappointed before."
The same word that once harnessed horses now describes people bristling with wounded pride — you can almost hear the horse snort.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bridled
The verb "bridle" derives from the noun "bridle," recorded in Old English as "bridel," referring to a horse's headgear. The noun's further origins are uncertain, though it may be related to the Old English verb "bregdan" (to pull or jerk), fitting for a device that tugs at a horse's mouth. The figurative senses — restraining emotion and reacting with indignation — developed naturally from the image of controlling a horse by its headgear.
Related word forms
How bridled is actually used
Most often used figuratively today, usually in the construction "bridled at" to describe a show of resentment or wounded dignity. The literal equestrian sense is now largely confined to historical or specialist writing.
Easily confused with bridled
"Bridal" means relating to a bride or wedding, while "bridled" is the past tense of bridle, meaning restrained or reacting with indignation — they are near-homophones but entirely unrelated in meaning.