hackles

British  

/ ˈhækəlz /

plural noun

1. the hairs on the back of the neck and the back of a dog, cat, etc, which rise when the animal is angry or afraid

2. anger or resentment (esp in the phrases get one's hackles up, make one's hackles rise )

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hackles Idioms  

1. see raise someone's hackles.

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Example Sentences

Such a move would raise hackles in Turkey, which has fought a decades-long bloody conflict with the Kurdish militant group PKK, which it is now seeking to end.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

Brennan began to ask if Ross was back on the street and working in Minneapolis when Noem got her hackles up.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

Human rights groups and a smattering of legal experts have raised their hackles too.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

The effect of this deal on other companies also raises the hackles of economists and trade experts.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025

The ghastly cat’s hackles grew higher as he meant to pounce and claw me out.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck