Definition of bendnext
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as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal bent all of his efforts toward making his first documentary film

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course the stream bends slightly to the east

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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bend

2 of 2

noun

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 bend
Verb
The tweak The Improper Pig made to a coveted Southern brunch dish might be considered sacrilegious in some kitchens, but the result is a delicious argument for bending tradition. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026 Its only indication of its past life is the lucky cat sitting on a bar shelf, bending its paw rhythmically. — Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
Some people may incorporate arm movements, such as shoulder circles and side bend stretches, while walking. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The streetcar hurtled down the hill before coming off the rails on a bend and smashing into a building, leaving the wooden cabin a crumpled wreck. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bend
Verb
  • By midday Friday, attention turned to the peninsula, where the hurricane was slated to arch back and hit between Monday and Tuesday.
    — Eugene Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
  • This is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland, complete with turrets, arched windows and red stone walls.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Instead of promoting the new album, George mostly ignored his own catalog, devoting two-thirds of the set to oldies by his heroes, including David Bowie, Chaka Khan, Culture Club, and Elton John.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Time magazine devoted its annual 1975 Man of the Year issue to Women of the Year.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Clemons had served as the founding CEO of both ConnCAT and ConnCORP, turning them into hubs for economic and community revitalization that aimed to center the experiences and needs of residents in New Haven’s Dixwell and Newhallville neighborhoods.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The two co-founded The Slave Pit, a production space aimed toward creating student films, and its creative community ultimately led to the creation of Gwar.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Eichler’s micro-neighborhood, spread over a high ridge near the geographic center of the city and overlooking Glen Canyon Park, is mostly composed of compact lots along curving streets.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Chase Meidroth hit a long fly down the left-field line that curved foul during a third-inning at-bat Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Ramirez’s two classmates, an Asian woman and a white man, remained in the edited version, but they were changed to appear thinner, and their facial features were noticeably distorted.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Controlling for certain variables called colliders can distort the effect a study is interested in.
    — Mark Louie Ramos, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • That sister didn’t have a name or an actress attached until Netflix revealed this summer that Harris would be making her debut in the role on the currently airing 14th season of Gabby’s Dollhouse.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The hope now is to attempt to pass legislation during the lame duck session at the end of the year, perhaps by attaching it to a major funding bill, Schiff said in a call with reporters Thursday.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • And if the footprint looks like a full foot with no dry spots in the middle and no inward curvature, the diagnosis is usually flat feet.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The more mass an object possesses, the greater the curvature, and because gravity arises from this curvature, the greater the gravitational influence.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • With every whimper, sigh, howl, bark and head tilt, these dogs create an empathetic portrayal of a highly intelligent creature that has been through battle and has the scars (and nightmares) to prove it.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The Parthenon’s columns famously have a slight inward tilt toward the roof and bulge at the center, which some people theorize balances out the curved stylobate.
    — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bend. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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