arching

verb

present participle of arch
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

Relevance

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of arching Terracotta tiles are at his feet; behind him is a gnarled pine tree, arching toward the sea. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026 Its initial trajectory after stage separation will put the spacecraft on the same course as previous flights, arching toward a reentry and splashdown in the Indian Ocean. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026 Bridal wreath spirea develops a dense, arching shape that provides an ideal home for your yard’s pollinators and birds. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Sep. 2026 Video captured from the drone’s perspective and released on Facebook, shows the frustrated bobcat standing by a staircase, growling and arching its back at the hovering machine. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026 In the opposite direction, open the elbows wide, arching the back and lifting the chin to the sky. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Keeping your thighs aligned, bend one knee and bring your heel toward your buttocks without arching your back. — Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, HEALTH, 13 Aug. 2026 The combination of a moonless sky and the Milky Way arching overhead could make this the standout night for skywatching all year. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The name comes from the footlong, fluffy white flower clusters at the ends of arching stems. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arching
  1. bending
  2. curving
  3. hooking
  4. bowing
Verb
  • When the Americans failed to pressure Guijarro some 25 yards out, the Spanish captain ripped a bending effort that nestled in goalkeeper Claudia Dickey’s netting.
    — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026
  • With Pharrell Williams steering the production ship, the Athens, Georgia native wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to create his most cohesive, genre-bending body of work to date.
    — Mikey Fresh, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bending
Verb
  • The space seamlessly flows into a dining area and a custom kitchen outfitted with curving cabinetry, stainless steel shelving, Caesarstone countertops, a contoured island, and a breakfast nook.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Designed by Behar Font & Partners, the building’s curving silhouette and glass façade evoke the slender form of a tulip blossom.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of curving
Verb
  • Ecobee says that just hooking this unit up can deliver up to 26% per year reductions on heating and cooling costs, which will pay for itself quickly.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • First, don’t rely on the industry to protect youth when its business model depends on hooking new customers and keeping them using their product.
    — Susan Morrisey, STAT, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of hooking
Verb
  • The film continues a strong bond between two-time Oscar winner Pitt and Paramount, with their survival thriller Heart of the Beast bowing next weekend.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime, starring Robert Pattinson, is set to open the Beyond Fest genre festival in Los Angeles after bowing in Venice.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of bowing

Browse Nearby Words

archfoes
arching
architect
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arching. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abscond

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All