bend 1 of 2

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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

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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
Monarez was ousted after refusing to bend to pressure from top HHS officials to sign off on potential new vaccine restrictions, according to people familiar with the matter. Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025 From railroads to telecoms to energy, industries with concentrated wealth and technical expertise have usually succeeded in bending rules to their favor. Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
With your core engaged, hinge forward slightly, keeping a slight bend in your knees. Jenny McCoy, SELF, 25 Aug. 2025 The Blue Rivers family and two dozen others had always been there at the bend in the river. Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bend
Verb
  • While keeping your lower back pressed into the chair, arch your upper back over the top of the chair.
    Jenny McCoy, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
  • In photos of the pair smooching at midnight, fans quickly recognized the iconic architecture, namely the gold, arching ceilings.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Many CEOs will have no choice but to devote their efforts to guessing, interpreting and trying to influence what the president wants, rather than toiling on behalf of their shareholders and customers.
    Senior Fellow, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Pollsters didn’t devote much attention to mail voting again until the mid-1990s, around the time Oregon considered and adopted a universal vote by mail.
    Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rethinking foam design Traditionally, foam design has focused on maintaining a constant stress plateau, with iterations aimed at optimizing mechanical properties alone.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Other criticisms are aimed at what the soldiers are actually doing.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Along the Corniche—a sweeping waterfront promenade curving around the bay—traditional dhows drift past a shimmering skyline of minarets and sculptural skyscrapers.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Here, miles away from the nearest public road, a small canyon carves into curving limestone.
    Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In a world where images are so numerous and so difficult to understand, truth itself can be in danger, threatened by false interpretations and distorted, misleading half-truths.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Executives may tone down accomplishments to avoid internal friction, which can distort messaging.
    Adrian Dearnell, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That accusation was included as a footnote attached to documents the government filed in immigration court.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The area was hit heavily by flooding and widespread destruction because the Mississippi River attaches at the mouth of the ward.
    Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Manufacturers craft these lenses to match the exact curvature of your eyes.
    Malana VanTyler, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The 2018 Equal Earth projection is a modern map that follows the Earth’s curvature and shows continents in their true proportions, unlike the distorted Mercator map.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Text neck syndrome causes rounded shoulders and a forward head tilt that can become permanent, as well as chronic neck pain.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • At these times, Earth’s axial tilt aligns in such a way that the solar wind can connect more efficiently with the planet’s magnetic field.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bend. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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