inflection

noun

in·flec·tion | \ in-ˈflek-shən

Definition of inflection

1 : change in pitch or loudness of the voice

2a : the change of form that words undergo to mark such distinctions as those of case, gender, number, tense, person, mood, or voice

b : a form, suffix, or element involved in such variation

c : accidence

3 : the act or result of curving or bending : bend

4a : change in curvature of an arc or curve from concave to convex or conversely

b : inflection point

Synonyms Did you know? Example Sentences Phrases Containing inflection Learn More About inflection

Examples of inflection in a Sentence

She spoke with no inflection. She read the lines with an upward inflection. Most English adjectives do not require inflection. “Gone” and “went” are inflections of the verb “go.” English has fewer inflections than many other languages.

Recent Examples on the Web There is so much compelling detail in the story of how stewardesses became flight attendants, how the field was opened to men and equalized for all, that the timeline of these inflection points gets lost in the telling. — Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2022 Conclusions Successions, political or in business, are often found at pivotal moments or inflection points. — Radu Magdin, Forbes, 25 Apr. 2022 Nobody knows for sure what the future holds, but the market tumult of early 2022 might mark one of those inflection points when certain industries, sectors and investment themes rotate in or out of favor. — Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2022 Nobody knows for sure what the future holds, but the market tumult of early 2022 might mark one of those inflection points when certain industries, sectors and investment themes rotate in or out of favor. — Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2022 Similar inflection points have become a mid-session phenomenon in Montgomery. — al, 5 Apr. 2022 Nobody knows for sure what the future holds, but the market tumult of early 2022 might mark one of those inflection points when certain industries, sectors and investment themes rotate in or out of favor. — Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2022 Nobody knows for sure what the future holds, but the market tumult of early 2022 might mark one of those inflection points when certain industries, sectors and investment themes rotate in or out of favor. — Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2022 Nobody knows for sure what the future holds, but the market tumult of early 2022 might mark one of those inflection points when certain industries, sectors and investment themes rotate in or out of favor. — Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inflection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.