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
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.
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Recent Examples of bending
Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
After the shooting, Heyward dropped the gun — accidentally shooting herself in the right foot while bending down to pick it up — then walked to the back of the car and removed the license plate, placed it inside, and sped off, deputies say.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Studies and trials consistently show users bending with Laevo expend 15–30% less muscle effort.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
The genre-bending superstar will close the night at Capital One JamFest on Sunday (April 5) during Final Four weekend of the men’s college basketball tournament at American Legion Mall in Indianapolis, the NCAA, TNT Sports and CBS Sports announced.
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 23 Mar. 2026
Since then, the hit-making producer has amassed billions of streams across streaming platforms with his genre-bending music.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Coached by the legendary Pete Carril, the Tigers’ methodical offense – directed by point center Kit Mueller and filled with eye-bending backdoor cuts – put the Hoyas on roller skates.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Mar. 2026
Because the weeds will start creeping through the cracks in no time, grab the Grampa’s Weeder that gardeners in their 50s, 60s, and 70s use without bending down.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2026
Jordan took home the Oscar and the Actor Award for his roles as Smoke and Stack in Ryan Coogler's genre-bending film, while Plemons was nominated for an Actor, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for his Yorgos Lanthimos joint.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Corridor 109 is also home to a tandem cocktail bar, Bar 109, which debuted in 2025 and serves genre-bending cocktails, plus bites such as Wagyu hot dogs.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
After the shooting, Heyward dropped the gun — accidentally shooting herself in the right foot while bending down to pick it up — then walked to the back of the car and removed the license plate, placed it inside, and sped off, deputies say.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Studies and trials consistently show users bending with Laevo expend 15–30% less muscle effort.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
The genre-bending superstar will close the night at Capital One JamFest on Sunday (April 5) during Final Four weekend of the men’s college basketball tournament at American Legion Mall in Indianapolis, the NCAA, TNT Sports and CBS Sports announced.
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 23 Mar. 2026
Since then, the hit-making producer has amassed billions of streams across streaming platforms with his genre-bending music.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Coached by the legendary Pete Carril, the Tigers’ methodical offense – directed by point center Kit Mueller and filled with eye-bending backdoor cuts – put the Hoyas on roller skates.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Mar. 2026
Because the weeds will start creeping through the cracks in no time, grab the Grampa’s Weeder that gardeners in their 50s, 60s, and 70s use without bending down.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2026
Jordan took home the Oscar and the Actor Award for his roles as Smoke and Stack in Ryan Coogler's genre-bending film, while Plemons was nominated for an Actor, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for his Yorgos Lanthimos joint.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bending
Adjective
-
This 36-inch-tall tower fan features a curved air inlet and a multi-blade design that creates a natural wind-like effect.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The super high-rise fit defines my waist, while a curved yoke and higher back pockets create a perkier look.—
Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar,
Glamour,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The permanent exhibit includes a full-scale replica of the Nihonbashi Bridge, an arching wooden structure that once joined the five roads to Edo at the gate to the capital.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
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Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano was putting on a spectacular show Tuesday evening, with its latest eruptive episode producing arching bands of red lava higher than some skyscrapers.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing will ever undo the original sin, and devoting your life to ruining someone else’s is a loss for both of you.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Tony has fully jumped into our theatre program devoting himself to straight plays and musical theatre.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Fighting Illini are aiming to clinch its first Final Four berth since 2005.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Detroit Free Press Staff,
Freep.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With the main entrance positioned above the building, visitors access the wellness center via a descending staircase and a gently curving ramp.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The changes will close much of the park, including the Greek Theater, Central Promenade, and South Plaza of Civic Center, where big festivals often set up stages and vendors line the curving sidewalks.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The front has square glass block masonry on the lower half, which lets light in while reducing what's visible outside by distorting the view.—
Stefan Ionescu
March 30,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Kyle is just outing herself as a gossip and is distorting what everyone has to say to try to one-up Dorit in her own life.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sports built confidence without attaching identity to performance.—
Mark J. Friedlander,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Follow the plant's natural upward growth pattern and avoid attaching vines in a way that stretches or pulls.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If any one case is thrown out, Trump’s allies will just try again, hooking onto any conceivable excuse until both your will and your resources are depleted.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The trial is a test case, known as a bellwether, tied to about 2,000 other pending lawsuits brought by parents and school districts arguing that social media giants should be considered manufacturers of defective products for hooking a generation of young people to social media feeds.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bending. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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