1
as in bending
to cause to turn away from a straight line
the cat arched her back whenever she was stroked
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in curving
to turn away from a straight line or course
the path gradually arches off into the woods
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arching
This houseplant is known for its beautiful, narrow, arching leaves and adaptable nature.
—
Molly Burford, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Its arching branches of flat, fleshy leaves are now drooping, leaving the plant looking less like a festive centerpiece and more like a soggy green mop.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Feb. 2026
Under blistering examination from plaintiff’s attorney Mark Lanier, who called him as an adverse witness, the Meta chief looked visibly irritated at times, arching his eyebrows and shifting in his chair as he was confronted with a string of internal emails and slide decks.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
Over the remainder of the half, the Broncos committed five turnovers and would have been down by even more at the break if not for a high-arching 3-pointer at the buzzer from Buchanan.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Hold the bridge 3 to 4 inches off the floor — just high enough to avoid arching or straining your lower back.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Infiniti’s nomination follows an outcry over her exclusion from the Academy Awards, with co-star Leonardo DiCaprio among those arching an eyebrow.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
At one point, the arching filament detached from one of its anchor points on the sun and launched out into space, blown by the ferocity of the solar wind.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Hakonechloa ‘Stripe It Rich’ Ideal for adding movement, this ornamental grass features arching golden blades with clean white striping.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Molly Burford, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Its arching branches of flat, fleshy leaves are now drooping, leaving the plant looking less like a festive centerpiece and more like a soggy green mop.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Feb. 2026
Under blistering examination from plaintiff’s attorney Mark Lanier, who called him as an adverse witness, the Meta chief looked visibly irritated at times, arching his eyebrows and shifting in his chair as he was confronted with a string of internal emails and slide decks.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
Over the remainder of the half, the Broncos committed five turnovers and would have been down by even more at the break if not for a high-arching 3-pointer at the buzzer from Buchanan.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Hold the bridge 3 to 4 inches off the floor — just high enough to avoid arching or straining your lower back.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Infiniti’s nomination follows an outcry over her exclusion from the Academy Awards, with co-star Leonardo DiCaprio among those arching an eyebrow.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
At one point, the arching filament detached from one of its anchor points on the sun and launched out into space, blown by the ferocity of the solar wind.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Hakonechloa ‘Stripe It Rich’ Ideal for adding movement, this ornamental grass features arching golden blades with clean white striping.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arching
Verb
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The team confirmed the behavior by testing how the simulated material responded to pressure, bending, and melting.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
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Although such a proposal would impact landlords and renters across the city, it was originally brought up after residents of the Serra Grove apartment complex complained their new landlord was bending substantial renovation rules to evict longtime tenants and relist units at double the price.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The chill all-day Mediterranean spot is Manja, noted by its huge, curving aqua pizza oven and porch swings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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Last June, Naomi Welikala noticed a line curving around the block of her local American Legion, an unassuming building that rarely invited commotion.—
Emma Madden,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Spuds were handed a lifeline early in the second period as Sturgis went into the box for hooking.—
Andrew Cornelius,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
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After being booked in the 58th minute for a body check near the halfway line on Ismaila Sarr, Krejci then played on in the 61st after a throw-in had been awarded against him, hooking the ball down the line.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The company has previously rejected the court’s ruling and the Chinese government has accused Panama’s government of bowing to United States pressure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
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And there was certainly no sign any of the gubernatorial candidates plan to give up, bowing to concerns their large number could divide the Democratic vote and allow a pair of Republicans to slip through and emerge from California’s top-two primary.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arching. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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