Synonyms of bend

bend 1 of 2

verb

ˈbend 

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

• arch
• hook
• curve
• bow
• curl
• twist
• turn
• swerve
• crook
• round
• wave
• arc
• veer
• deflect
• weave
• reflect
• swirl
• loop
• divert
• inflect
• kink
• slope
• warp
• spiral
• coil
• incline
• entwine
• meander
• wind
• incurvate
• dent
• incurve
• twine
• enroll
• enrol
• dimple
• decline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten
• unbend
• uncurl

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

• devote
• apply
• give
• buckle
• get cracking
• commit
• address
• turn a hand
• work
• spend
• get with it
• set (to)
• settle (down)
• turn one's hand
• get one's act together
• exert
• readdress
• reapply
• engage
• busy
• wear out
• trouble
• involve
• stress
• hump
• plow
• put out
• exhaust
• carry on
• tax
• concern
• strain
• knuckle down
• plunge (in)
• pitch in
• grind
• hustle
• plod
• plug (away)
• peg (away)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• play
• dawdle
• fool around
• idle
• trifle
• fiddle (around)
• mess around
• putter (around)
• monkey (around)
• potter (around)
• dally
• dillydally

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

• aim
• cast
• set
• hold
• direct
• head
• train
• steer
• pinpoint
• sight
• focus
• level
• face
• concentrate
• bear
• orient
• incline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• curve
• deflect
• avert
• divert
• shunt
• detour
• sidetrack
• rechannel

4

as in to curve

to turn away from a straight line or course

the stream bends slightly to the east

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curve
• bow
• arc
• round
• sweep
• turn
• fall off
• arch
• swerve
• wind
• wheel
• crook
• loop
• hook
• curl
• trend
• circle
• spiral
• coil
• deviate
• twist
• veer
• curlicue

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten

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

• distort
• misrepresent
• twist
• slant
• cook
• falsify
• warp
• misstate
• complicate
• pervert
• misinterpret
• obscure
• fudge
• misrelate
• garble
• color
• confuse
• censor
• mistake
• disguise
• mask
• dissemble
• veil
• lie
• camouflage
• gloss (over)
• whitewash
• misdescribe
• misspeak
• mistranslate
• belie
• mix (up)
• prevaricate
• mystify
• equivocate
• palter
• bowdlerize
• fib
• confound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• explain
• interpret
• illustrate
• clarify
• clear (up)
• spell out
• illuminate
• decipher

6

as in to attach

to cause (something) to hold to another

bend a leash to the dog's collar

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attach
• affix
• tie
• glue
• fasten
• connect
• clip
• adhere
• fix
• screw
• stick
• hang
• strap
• pin
• clamp
• harness
• tack
• clench
• tackle
• shackle
• rivet
• link
• yoke
• clasp
• latch
• clinch
• toggle
• lash
• cinch
• staple
• nail
• bolt
• plaster
• join
• unite
• paste
• coapt
• button
• lace
• reattach
• refasten
• resecure
• hasp
• reaffix
• batten
• refix
• belay
• do up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• detach
• split
• undo
• divide
• unhook
• unfasten
• sever
• separate
• disconnect
• part
• dissociate
• loosen
• break up
• divorce
• loose
• uncouple
• disunite
• sunder
• dissever
• disjoin
• untie
• unyoke
• unlink
• disjoint
• unbind
• unfix
• unlash

bend

2 of 2

noun

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

• curvature
• curve
• turn
• angle
• bow
• wind
• arch
• fold
• crook
• arc
• corner
• slope
• twist
• curl
• inflection
• warp
• winding
• loop
• coil
• ring
• round
• spiral
• circle
• buckle
• swirl
• kink
• incline
• flexure
• inclination
• reflection
• curlycue
• hairpin
• curlicue
• convolution
• ringlet
• incurvature
• turnoff
• decline
• dogleg

2

as in tilt

the act of positioning or an instance of being positioned at an angle

did knee bends for exercise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tilt
• tip
• list
• inclination
• cock
• angling
• twist
• nod
• turn
• bow
• dip
• veer

Examples of bend in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Wrinkles can even reveal whether an individual elephant prefers to bend its trunk to the right or the left, according to the new study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science on Wednesday. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024

There’s no risk of dings or bends with this case, which features a cool blue color, durable shell, four independent wheels, and a five-year warranty, making this 65-percent-off deal a must-buy. —Red Fabbri, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2024

Noun

Built with the brand’s iFlex technology, these slip-on loafers provide a 90-degree bend for flexible, blister-free wear. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2024

These adjustments prevent the occurrence of the bends—painful and dangerous nitrogen bubbles, which form in the bloodstream and tissues of the astronauts. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 12 Sep. 2024

Phrases Containing bend

• around the bend