as in twisting
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in curving
to turn away from a straight line or course
the stream bends slightly to the east
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 bending
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
Israel, already emerging from a year of history-bending military operations—crippling Hamas in Gaza, decapitating Hezbollah's command structure, and setting back Iran's nuclear program—now stands at the threshold of something larger.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
Peering into deep space, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has helped astronomers find places to study gravitational lensing, an effect in which massive objects such as galaxies warp space-time itself, bending and distorting the light of even more distant galaxies behind them.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
The slip-on design is great for people who have trouble bending down — no need to worry about tying laces.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Dotti Best Broom & Dustpan pairs durable, easy-clean silicone bristles with an adjustable pole and a foothold dustpan that reduces bending.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Lastly, swap in the crevice tool for corners and other hard-to-reach areas, especially spots under furniture, that usually require bending over or getting down on your hands and knees.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Each leg features six DoF, while the arms and waist contribute additional mobility, allowing Oli to perform fluid, human-like movements such as bending, reaching, and grasping with natural coordination.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Even crows craft tools, bending twigs to similar ends.
—Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Perhaps that’s by design, and Byun is bending his own form towards a damning commentary on universal self-interest — even in the face of a crisis.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
Israel, already emerging from a year of history-bending military operations—crippling Hamas in Gaza, decapitating Hezbollah's command structure, and setting back Iran's nuclear program—now stands at the threshold of something larger.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
Peering into deep space, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has helped astronomers find places to study gravitational lensing, an effect in which massive objects such as galaxies warp space-time itself, bending and distorting the light of even more distant galaxies behind them.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
The slip-on design is great for people who have trouble bending down — no need to worry about tying laces.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Dotti Best Broom & Dustpan pairs durable, easy-clean silicone bristles with an adjustable pole and a foothold dustpan that reduces bending.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Lastly, swap in the crevice tool for corners and other hard-to-reach areas, especially spots under furniture, that usually require bending over or getting down on your hands and knees.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Each leg features six DoF, while the arms and waist contribute additional mobility, allowing Oli to perform fluid, human-like movements such as bending, reaching, and grasping with natural coordination.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Even crows craft tools, bending twigs to similar ends.
—Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bending
Verb
-
Old-fashioned abelias with their arching shape need to be cut back to the ground every year.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Keep your shoulders relaxed and engage your core to avoid arching your back.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Michaels is devoting about 25% of space in its stores to this new venture while also launching a party concept.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Already, boards are devoting more time and attention to discussing the use of AI within their organizations, including more than 62% of directors who reported participating in full-board discussions about AI policies for their companies.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Voracious manga readers will find value in the subscription the most, with Crunchyroll aiming to offer the most bang for your buck.—
Devin Robertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
But United is aiming to give Delta a run for its money.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to Einstein, massive objects shape the space around them, as their gravity bends space-time, curving paths of light rays near by.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
There was also the Capin — its surprising inspiration was the capybara, seen in its chocolate suede and golden braid motif on a curving open tote, offered in two sizes.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Still, another way to view it is that AI is the latest tool in humanity’s long history of shaping and distorting narratives.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Peering into deep space, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has helped astronomers find places to study gravitational lensing, an effect in which massive objects such as galaxies warp space-time itself, bending and distorting the light of even more distant galaxies behind them.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That’s because Republicans’ opposition to attaching any health care credits extension to a must-pass funding bill fundamentally limits their ability to offer much else.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
9 Oct. 2025
-
This Anker portable charger remedies that situation by magnetically attaching to the back of an iPhone 14, 15, 16, or 17 for wireless charging.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
According to archaeologists, these ancient farmers piled up stones and soil to form a body, pincers, and a curved tail with a stinger.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Umbra’s Scandi-style pieces with curved edges—bookshelves, side tables—are often designated as Amazon’s Choice picks.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With deals on Apple AirPods, Vera Bradley bags, Neutrogena makeup wipes, and Dreo portable space heaters, Amazon is hooking you up for the fall, winter, and beyond.—
Shalwah Evans,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Encased in a glossy synth-pop tune, producers Max Martin and Shellback lace the lyrics with a melody as addictive as a narcotic, hooking listeners from the start.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bending. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share