unbent
ˌən-ˈbent 
; unbending
; unbending
1
: to free from flexure : make or allow to become straight
unbend a bow
2
: to cause to relax : to set at ease for a time
unbend the mind from study
3
a
: to unfasten from a spar or stay
unbend a sail
b
: to cast loose : untie
unbend a rope
1
: to relax one's severity, stiffness, or austerity
2
: to cease to be bent : become straight
Examples of unbend in a Sentence
He was bending and unbending his fingers.
His fingers were bending and unbending.
He unbent a little at the party.
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite his decision to shut out Netanyahu for months, Biden made a point of saying that his loyalty to Israel was unbending.
—
Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023
Whitfield, a man of unbending faith, sees a powerful harmony with the fact that the birthday of his mother, Ruth Whitfield, this year would have fallen on the Good Friday date of April 7, for Christians like him a day of death followed by rebirth.
—Gary Craig, USA TODAY, 14 May 2023
Hackett, who is unbending about confidentiality with the kind of decorum that would make Emily Post self-conscious, has clientele that encompasses top studios, individual C-suite executives and financiers.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2023
Then, unbend and flatten the second bobby pin to make one long, straight lock pick.
—Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 17 Jan. 2023
Then unbend and flatten the second bobby pin to make one long, straight lock pick.
—Kevin Dupzyk and Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 18 Nov. 2020
The Trump administration’s unbending policy toward Iran was supposed to force the foe into submission.
—Steve Chapman, chicagotribune.com, 19 June 2019
Sarri was unbending in his desire to implement his style and his philosophy at the club, and no amount of pressure from fans or journalists changed this fact.
—SI.com, 5 June 2019
Right-to-try laws indulge the fear that unbending bureaucrats in Washington have kept patients from medical cures with an excess of red tape.
—Daniel Engber, Slate Magazine, 25 July 2017
See More
Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023
Whitfield, a man of unbending faith, sees a powerful harmony with the fact that the birthday of his mother, Ruth Whitfield, this year would have fallen on the Good Friday date of April 7, for Christians like him a day of death followed by rebirth.
—Gary Craig, USA TODAY, 14 May 2023
Hackett, who is unbending about confidentiality with the kind of decorum that would make Emily Post self-conscious, has clientele that encompasses top studios, individual C-suite executives and financiers.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2023
Then, unbend and flatten the second bobby pin to make one long, straight lock pick.
—Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 17 Jan. 2023
Then unbend and flatten the second bobby pin to make one long, straight lock pick.
—Kevin Dupzyk and Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 18 Nov. 2020
The Trump administration’s unbending policy toward Iran was supposed to force the foe into submission.
—Steve Chapman, chicagotribune.com, 19 June 2019
Sarri was unbending in his desire to implement his style and his philosophy at the club, and no amount of pressure from fans or journalists changed this fact.
—SI.com, 5 June 2019
Right-to-try laws indulge the fear that unbending bureaucrats in Washington have kept patients from medical cures with an excess of red tape.
—Daniel Engber, Slate Magazine, 25 July 2017
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unbend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of unbend was
in the 13th century
Dictionary Entries Near unbend
Cite this Entry
“Unbend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unbend. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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