unbend

un·bend

verb \-ˈbend\

un·bent\-ˈbent\un·bend·ing

Definition of UNBEND

transitive verb

1

: to free from flexure : make or allow to become straight <unbend a bow>

2

: to cause (as the mind) to relax

3

a : to unfasten (as a sail) from a spar or stay b : to cast loose (as a rope) : untie

intransitive verb

1

: to relax one's severity, stiffness, or austerity

2

: to cease to be bent : become straight

Examples of UNBEND

1. He was bending and unbending his fingers.
2. His fingers were bending and unbending.
3. He unbent a little at the party.

First Known Use of UNBEND

13th century

Related to UNBEND

Synonyms: straighten, uncurl, unkink

Antonyms: bend, crook, curl, curve

Related Words: uncoil, unroll, unwind; disentangle, untangle, untwine, untwist

Near Antonyms: arc, bend, bow, hook, round; entwine, kink, swirl, turn, twine, twist; coil, loop, spiral, wind

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Rhymes with UNBEND

addend, amend, append, ascend, attend, bartend, befriend, Big Bend, bookend, boyfriend, closed-end, commend, compend, contend, dead end, dead-end, defend, depend, descend, distend, downtrend, emend, expend, extend, fag end, forfend, front-end, girlfriend, Gravesend, headend, high-end, hornblende, impend, intend, Land's End, loose end, low-end, missend, misspend, next friend, no end, offend, on end, Ostend, outspend, perpend, pitchblende, portend, pretend, propend, protend, rear-end, resend, sheet bend, South Bend, split end, stipend, subtend, suspend, tag end, tail end, tight end, top-end, transcend, unkenned, upend, uptrend, weekend, year-end