as in curved
marked by a long series of irregular curves
the river takes a long bending path to the sea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in arching
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devoting
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 aiming
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
as in curving
to turn away from a straight line or course
the stream bends slightly to the east
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in distorting
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in attaching
to cause (something) to hold to another
bend a leash to the dog's collar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bending
Lesly Gregory,
AJC.com,
26 June 2026
Fatigue damage is the bridge version of bending a paper clip back and forth.
—
Alex Krasnok,
Scientific American,
25 June 2026
One, a large van, is blown out along the side, scarred by a large hole ringed by pieces of metal that look like a sculpture made of foil bending back upon itself.
—
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
The video showed Spencer getting out of the car and going for the 6-year-old girl at the bus stop, bending down several times to get close to her, prosecutors said.
—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
The footage shows Spencer bending down and getting close to the girl multiple times.
—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
The evidence from agriculture--and the FACT data showing that curve already bending upward again--tells us what inaction looks like.
—
Robert Glatter,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Fatigue damage is the bridge version of bending a paper clip back and forth.
—
Alex Krasnok,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
Isn’t the modern sporting landscape supposed to be about money grabs and venture capital knee-bending and entertainment districts built alongside new stadium venues?
—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Verb
Cat care also has a physical component, including bending to scoop litter and navigating a pet that can sometimes get underfoot, creating a fall risk.
—
Lesly Gregory,
AJC.com,
26 June 2026
Fatigue damage is the bridge version of bending a paper clip back and forth.
—
Alex Krasnok,
Scientific American,
25 June 2026
One, a large van, is blown out along the side, scarred by a large hole ringed by pieces of metal that look like a sculpture made of foil bending back upon itself.
—
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
The video showed Spencer getting out of the car and going for the 6-year-old girl at the bus stop, bending down several times to get close to her, prosecutors said.
—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
The footage shows Spencer bending down and getting close to the girl multiple times.
—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
The evidence from agriculture--and the FACT data showing that curve already bending upward again--tells us what inaction looks like.
—
Robert Glatter,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Fatigue damage is the bridge version of bending a paper clip back and forth.
—
Alex Krasnok,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
Isn’t the modern sporting landscape supposed to be about money grabs and venture capital knee-bending and entertainment districts built alongside new stadium venues?
—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bending
Adjective
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The base of the legs is stitched with a tulip hem for a dressier look and a curved silhouette.
-
This curved gaming monitor sports a 1000R curve that helps you get immersed in your gameplay by wrapping around your peripheral vision.
Verb
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Choose grasses with tall, arching stems to set off the upright dahlia form.
-
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.
Verb
-
These days, those same thinkers describe their object of study as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena—and universities, governmental agencies, and independent groups are devoting serious resources to finally getting to the bottom of whether extraterrestrials really are out there.
-
But to avoid being stretched too much, defined as devoting more than 30% of their pay to housing, their income should be closer to $250,000.
Verb
-
The renovation masterfully blends contemporary comforts with the Inn's historic character, aiming for a sophisticated yet authentic residential feel.
-
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil facilities, aiming to cut Moscow’s revenue for the war and make Russians feel the consequences of the invasion.
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.
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Gravitational lensing is a phenomenon that occurs when an object of great mass comes between Earth and a distant background source, curving the fabric of spacetime.
Verb
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Last summer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accused China of distorting trade and limiting access for European firms.
-
The stainless-steel finish is extremely durable and will last for years without bending or distorting.
Verb
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In his letter to Hawley, Manfred said that rule was collectively bargained with the MLB Players Association and prohibits players from writing, attaching, affixing, embroidering or otherwise displaying messages on apparel or playing equipment.
-
He was also accused of attaching three tracking devices to her car, sending her more than 100 texts and voicemails and showing up at her work.
Adjective
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From $561 per night. Perks: Saltwater pool and spa, king beds in all rooms, piano, fire pit At the top of a long and winding drive awaits Le Petite Retreat.
-
Said Rahmani often compared his life story to the plot of Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, in which a young shepherd sets off on a long and winding journey to find his treasure, only to learn that it was buried near his home all along.
Cite this Entry
“Bending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bending. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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