as in curved
marked by a long series of irregular curves
the river takes a long bending path to the sea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in arching
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devoting
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention
bent herself to the task for the rest of the day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aiming
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
bent all of his efforts toward making his first documentary film
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4
as in curving
to turn away from a straight line or course
the stream bends slightly to the east
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in distorting
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
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6
as in attaching
to cause (something) to hold to another
bend a leash to the dog's collar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bending
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Those who have been through major hurricanes may tell you of the surreal visual of watching their doors and windows bending to the pressure from the winds.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
This interlocking mechanism transforms a soft, bending material into a highly rigid internal skeleton capable of absorbing forces.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
Hoop houses are a type of greenhouse made by bending PVC or metal pipes into half circles and covering them with translucent plastic.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
The hangers are sturdy and can support thick clothes like coats and sweaters without bending.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Addiss summed up the series' genre-bending tone in simple terms.
—Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
It was caused by stress from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain bending the oceanic plate below.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 May 2026
The show uses its time-bending conceit to great effect, putting a different flavor on each investigation and letting the era's prejudices impact the detectives.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Verb
In early 2021, anchors from large container ships hooked an underwater oil pipeline on the ocean floor some 5 miles off Huntington Beach’s coast, bending it like a straw.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Those who have been through major hurricanes may tell you of the surreal visual of watching their doors and windows bending to the pressure from the winds.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
This interlocking mechanism transforms a soft, bending material into a highly rigid internal skeleton capable of absorbing forces.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
Hoop houses are a type of greenhouse made by bending PVC or metal pipes into half circles and covering them with translucent plastic.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
The hangers are sturdy and can support thick clothes like coats and sweaters without bending.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Addiss summed up the series' genre-bending tone in simple terms.
—Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
It was caused by stress from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain bending the oceanic plate below.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 May 2026
The show uses its time-bending conceit to great effect, putting a different flavor on each investigation and letting the era's prejudices impact the detectives.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bending
Adjective
-
Shop more Sunbrella picks below, including a chaise lounge set, a charming curved loveseat, and a set of pretty throw pillows under $50.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
-
The style was finished with a slingback strap and a 105 mm glossy curved heel reimagining the brand’s signature Horn Heel.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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With upright, arching branches, the shrub matures at 8 feet.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
27 May 2026
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The grounds include rolling lawns, mature gardens, and a charming stone bridge arching over a branch of the Hackensack River.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
26 May 2026
Verb
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After devoting the offseason and spring training to improving his mechanics and approach, Rincon has looked like a different player.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
This has Americans devoting a greater share of their paycheck to gas.—
Alina Selyukh,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Then, instead of purely aiming for prospect capital, the club could use some of these players to acquire a big league hitter or two who can actually improve the lineup.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
The plan removes hundreds of millions of emissions allowances but creates a new incentive pool and more free permits for industry, aiming to keep refineries and manufacturing from leaving the state.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
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On the other side of the 15th floor is the large indoor pool that sits beneath a curving glass ceiling that brings in ample sunlight.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Akira Back is located inside The Henderson, the curving tower in Central Hong Kong designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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These beams of light allow scientists to see how our planet's ever-changing atmosphere might be distorting incoming light, which is critical for accurately analyzing telescope observations.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
27 May 2026
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In a forthcoming paper, Miran will argue along with two Fed economists that recent software inflation has been artificially inflated by technical factors, distorting headline and core numbers.—
Matt Peterson,Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Instead of simply selling chicken tenders, the brand is attaching itself to a highly visible social ecosystem where luxury consumers, influencers, and tastemakers gather every summer.—
Amber Love Bond,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Those of us who love her can’t help attaching all sorts of feelings to her face, her body, her way of speaking, moving, and singing.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The closest thing in effort required is hooking the robot when it’s done, emptying out its filter basket and putting it back on the charger.—
Brad Moon,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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In the video, Jessie, who is wearing a blue bikini, puts one foot on her husband's thigh and the other on his shoulder, hooking it around his neck, and stands up steadily while flashing her arm muscles at the camera.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bending. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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