1
as in to arch
to cause to turn away from a straight line
she bent the blade of the knife when she got it jammed in the drawer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to devote
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention
bent herself to the task for the rest of the day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
4
5
as in to distort
to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of
attorneys bending the facts to put their client in the most favorable light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to attach
to cause (something) to hold to another
bend a leash to the dog's collar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in curvature
something that curves or is curved
it's hard to see around that bend in the road, so be careful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bend
Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The movie bent itself around her in other ways.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2025
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
This wide-legged forward bend creates space not just along the backs of your legs but in the hip adductors of the inner thighs.
—Kate Pitts, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bend
Verb
Tomasek’s power play misses After Demko gloved his shot from the slot, David Tomasek bent over with his stick resting across his knees and bowed his head.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The movie bent itself around her in other ways.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
Second, the defense tends to follow the philosophy of bend, but don’t break.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
This wide-legged forward bend creates space not just along the backs of your legs but in the hip adductors of the inner thighs.
—Kate Pitts, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bend
Verb
-
These arches pivot together around common springing points to create a 40-degree tilt in just 4 minutes.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Warning signs a skunk is ready to spray include jumping, stamping their front feet, arching their back, clicking teeth, and hissing.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In her victory speech, Takaichi promised to devote herself to the job.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Trump has devoted that attention to ending the war between Israel and Hamas.—
Barry Strauss,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Last month, the Cabinet approved a package of new subsidies aimed at boosting births, including a one-time cash allowance of NT$30,000 (about US$3,320) per newborn.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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To this end, the firm leveraged its own talents and art departments for the campaigns and aims to further boost the appeal of the products by encouraging their use in models’ off-duty moments.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At an altitude of 625 kilometers, an 18-meter reflector — even if optimally curved to focus that light down onto the Earth’s surface — would create a spot of light just-under 6 km across on Earth’s surface.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
15 Oct. 2025
-
This Samsung Odyssey curved monitor deal sets you up with pro visuals at a much friendlier $179 price tag on Walmart.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some items may become distorted or break down over time if washed with the wrong materials.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Trump’s communication strategies are already setting a global precedent, encouraging other politicians to adopt similar theatrical and polarizing tactics that distort or deny facts.—
Andrew Rojecki,
The Conversation,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In July, Deadline reported that Apple TV+ greenlit a dramedy series inspired by I’m Glad My Mom Died, with Aniston attached.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Reacher star Alan Ritchson was originally attached to opposite Midthunder but bowed out due to scheduling conflicts.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As first predicted by Albert Einstein, gravitational lensing occurs when a massive celestial body causes a sufficient curvature of space-time for the path of light around it to be visibly bent, as if by a lens.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Engage the core to help keep the lower spine curvature neutral and not rounded or slouched.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And, well, the Bengals entered their tilt Thursday in Pittsburgh averaging a league-low 56 rushing yards per game, 25 fewer than the next lowest tally.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
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The reigning champion Eagles are (back) on tilt after losing two straight games, while each of the other division leaders has major flaws.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bend. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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