1
as in to arch
to cause to turn away from a straight line
she bent the blade of the knife when she got it jammed in the drawer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to devote
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention
bent herself to the task for the rest of the day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
bent all of his efforts toward making his first documentary film
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to distort
to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of
attorneys bending the facts to put their client in the most favorable light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to attach
to cause (something) to hold to another
bend a leash to the dog's collar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in curvature
something that curves or is curved
it's hard to see around that bend in the road, so be careful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bend
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026
Keeping your back pressed against the wall, enter a sitting position with your knees bent at around 90 degrees.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 18 June 2026
James Horncastle, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Around a bend, yellow wildflowers pop out of the underbrush, where curious deer and rustling ground squirrels (squinnies to this Iowan) startle.
—Diane Penningroth, Midwest Living, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bend
Verb
Create Seedling Pots DIY seedling pots are super easy to make from cardboard paper towel tubes by bending in the base of the tube to create a solid bottom and filling it with soil.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026
Keeping your back pressed against the wall, enter a sitting position with your knees bent at around 90 degrees.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 18 June 2026
Noun
Nine goals for your country is not the tally of a player who transforms teams and bends tournaments to their will.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Around a bend, yellow wildflowers pop out of the underbrush, where curious deer and rustling ground squirrels (squinnies to this Iowan) startle.
—Diane Penningroth, Midwest Living, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bend
Verb
-
Choose grasses with tall, arching stems to set off the upright dahlia form.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
-
Lower back discomfort or tightness might be due to arching of your back, or your back muscles tacking on too much of the work to overcompensate for a lack of hip strength or control.—
Christa Sgobba,
Health,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Since Israel’s founding, members of the community who devoted themselves to Torah studies have been exempt from the nation’s compulsory military service.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
23 June 2026
-
The album’s first half is all head-over-heels, dreamily devoted love songs, whimsical head rushes turned into music that recalls Lorde, the Cure, and Annie Ernaux.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
22 June 2026
Verb
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Mexico, a co-host of the tournament alongside the United States and Canada, is aiming to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup and advance beyond the round of 16.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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The new partnership marks the most ambitious collaboration between HRTS and Easterseals Disability Services to date, with the organizations previously joining forces on numerous initiatives aiming to improve accessibility in the entertainment industry and authentic representation on screen.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The innovative Panoramic Display consists of a 48-inch screen curving from door to door along the base of the windshield.—
Robert Duffer,
AJC.com,
19 June 2026
-
If choosing a pair without a headband, consider a model that has curved temples or a frame made of rubber.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
During our research, what first struck us was the extent to which the clichés surrounding the great figures of Antiquity have often distorted our perception of these historical characters.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
This attempt to distort the facts for personal gain should be viewed with significant skepticism.—
Kim Gorsuch,
Sun Sentinel,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Vermax was in dire trouble until Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) heroically steered her Moondancer and broke the rope attached to the anchor.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
Her client’s closet filled with new items, the tags still attached.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Noun
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The Australian system, developed over 40 years, works by refracting high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere to detect distant objects that are invisible to conventional radars because of Earth’s curvature.—
Rod McGuirk,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
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The Australian system, developed over 40 years, works by refracting high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere to detect distant objects that are invisible to conventional radars because of Earth's curvature.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 June 2026
Noun
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The election of Raman and Roy would also underscore the leftward tilt of Los Angeles, which has four City Council members, including Raman, who are DSA members — two of whom were reelected in the primary.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
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For instance, Apollo 14 experienced a 7-degree tilt on landing, and Apollo 15 had an 11-degree tilt on touchdown.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bend. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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