1
as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
the commanding officer's unbending reserve when dealing with subordinates
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
the school's new headmaster is reputed to be an unbending disciplinarian
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in straightening
to cause to follow a line that is without bends or curls
the new highway will largely unbend that twisting path that the old road used to follow
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unbending
Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 18 Feb. 2022
Amidst this controversy, in 1998, Manning met the scientist who would become his unbending ally.
—Timothy Pratt, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2022
Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unbending
Adjective
The result has been a most uncivil war, not fought over ideology, but over loyalty to the former president; not over public policy or economic solutions, but about who can serve as the most unbending conduit of the Republican base’s profound anger.
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 18 Feb. 2022
Amidst this controversy, in 1998, Manning met the scientist who would become his unbending ally.
—Timothy Pratt, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2022
Verb
Without unbending her back, the mother arranges her mouth into a placid line.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unbending
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbending
Adjective
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The prospects for a resumption of Gulf oil exports look distant, absent a major diplomatic or military breakthrough, after Iran reportedly started laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.—
Dominic Dudley,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
After Phase 2 is complete, test-flights are expected to begin in early 2028, in the not-so-distant future.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Early connections should feel easier as affectionate Venus forms a supportive sextile with intense Pluto, encouraging us to handle stubborn issues with honest talks and practical teamwork.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Spend less time focusing on prep and cleaning and more time focusing on the food with our favorite kitchen tools, which can make poached eggs in minutes, reseal bags of ingredients, open stubborn jars, and more.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Slowly slide your heel back out, straightening your leg.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Its purpose is to improve the external appearance of the nose by removing a hump, refining the tip, straightening the bridge, or making the nose appear smaller and more balanced with the rest of the face.—
Carlos Wolf,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But also, the way that the hospice nurses are so compassionate and calm and present, but at the same time detached.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The number of days homes spent on the market dropped sharply, down 30% for attached homes and 40% for detached homes.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even at that, Panthers coach Paul Maurice remains adamant all the trade rumors were blown out of proportion in the first place.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
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Berg is adamant that any kind of sleeper—we’re talking side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and back sleepers alike—would like this supportive style.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The snowpack acts as a natural water storage system for California, and ideally when the region’s climate shifts from cold to warm and dry, the snow gradually melts down from rivers and creeks to fill reservoirs over a period of months.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Direct Sowing Outside This method is simple but must be done during fall to allow for natural cold stratification.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Not all the time, not in a deeply debilitating way, but enough that his ongoing battle with right-knee tendinitis has become part of his tennis-playing identity — as much as his astute court acumen, steadfast competitiveness and Southern California charisma.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Guardians, Clase want answers about his salary Whereas Ortiz’s counsel asked for the trial to be pushed to a later date, Clase’s camp has been steadfast that the trial remain in May.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
My mother was unusually quiet, not cold toward Chloe but certainly cool.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unbending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbending. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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