inflect

verb

in·​flect in-ˈflekt How to pronounce inflect (audio)
inflected; inflecting; inflects

transitive verb

1
: to vary (a word) by inflection : decline, conjugate
2
: to change or vary the pitch of
inflect one's voice
3
: to affect or alter noticeably : influence
an approach inflected by feminism
4
: to turn from a direct line or course : curve

intransitive verb

: to become modified by inflection
inflectable adjective
inflective adjective

Examples of inflect in a Sentence

Most nouns in English are inflected for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.” Most nouns in English inflect for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.” Most adjectives in English do not inflect for gender or number.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But sure enough, the artist born Frederick John Philip Gibson enlisted Amy Taylor and company for his drum n’ bass-inflected latest single, harnessing the group’s energy and then exploding it with Gesaffelstein-like sirens and typically all-over-the-place vocal triggers. Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025 Kirk’s evangelicalism inflected both the tone and content of his message. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025 Harrison’s acclaimed speculative reimagining of a family drama, inflected with sci-fi and clones (and turned into a movie a few years ago), finally gets a Broadway run. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025 Despite the risks, the approach worked; sales for the first half of 2025 finally show a positive trend led by the QX80 and its smaller three-row crossover sibling, the QX60, also inflected with much of the new design language. Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflect

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inflectere, from in- + flectere to bend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of inflect was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflect. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

inflect

verb
in·​flect in-ˈflekt How to pronounce inflect (audio)
1
: to change a word by inflection
2
: to change the pitch of the voice

More from Merriam-Webster on inflect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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