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
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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
Jakob Roze, Health, 4 Nov. 2025
Blending genre-bending humor with social satire, the show examines modern life, dating, and identity through an inventive lens.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
The revisions—made just hours after two prosecutors who authored the original filing were placed on administrative leave—have fueled scrutiny over whether the DOJ is exercising routine caution or bending under political pressure.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
The genre-bending project was so buttoned up that Gilligan didn’t even tell his wife about it for a lengthy period of time.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Live action and animation come together in mind-bending ways, in service of the titular mystery.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
Researchers validated the structure using finite element method (FEM) simulations to check how stress distributes during bending.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
Almost 14 years since Gym Class Heroes, the genre-bending band formed in 1997 with Matt McGinley and Ryan Geise, released their last album, McCoy is rebooting the project.
—Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Video released by police shows someone bending, then breaking, the beloved sportscaster's bronze microphone.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Keeping your heels on the ground, lift your toes toward your shins without bending your knees.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 4 Nov. 2025
Blending genre-bending humor with social satire, the show examines modern life, dating, and identity through an inventive lens.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
The revisions—made just hours after two prosecutors who authored the original filing were placed on administrative leave—have fueled scrutiny over whether the DOJ is exercising routine caution or bending under political pressure.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
The genre-bending project was so buttoned up that Gilligan didn’t even tell his wife about it for a lengthy period of time.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Live action and animation come together in mind-bending ways, in service of the titular mystery.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
Researchers validated the structure using finite element method (FEM) simulations to check how stress distributes during bending.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
Almost 14 years since Gym Class Heroes, the genre-bending band formed in 1997 with Matt McGinley and Ryan Geise, released their last album, McCoy is rebooting the project.
—Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Video released by police shows someone bending, then breaking, the beloved sportscaster's bronze microphone.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bending
Adjective
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The unique curved heel, measuring around four inches, gives the classic silhouette an interesting edge.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
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The curved leg and tapered ankle create a subtle elongating effect, giving the illusion of longer legs while still feeling easy and comfortable to move in.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Canadian cultural mosaic, in which distinct identities exist parallel to an over-arching nationalism, further offered an alternative to the melting pot model found south of the border.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
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Avoid lifting too high and arching your back.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As a working mother, Meghan has been candid about running her business while also devoting plenty of time to her kiddos.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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In addition to shoes, a new accessories team is building out the handbag selection, aiming to craft signature styles and develop the category from that foundation.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
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That would presumably push Bo Bichette from the DH spot to second base, aiming to keep Toronto’s biggest bats in the lineup.—
Joe Kozlowski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Indecisive defending around the edge of the box and an unconvincing header by Maxim De Cuyper led to Matheus Cunha giving United a 24th-minute lead against the run of play with a curving shot.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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The ethereal structure comprises 297 stainless steel panels that had to be carefully fitted together and integrated with the curving staircases, whose wood elements evoke a ship’s deck.—
Blane Bachelor,
AFAR Media,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Over the summer, officials in Turkey — where the lawsuit says some of the allegedly fraudulent Drake streams originated — started investigating Spotify over several allegations, including bribes for playlist placement and bot streams distorting domestic charts.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025
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Other factors may also be distorting reports of public support for political violence.—
Ryan Kennedy,
The Conversation,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The drain outlets feature 40-mm valves for attaching a hose to better manage and direct the drainage flow or connect to a campsite drainage hookup.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
31 Oct. 2025
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Aside from Larsson, other trendsetters are joining in on the trend, attaching chains, keychains and other baubles to their jeans.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hahn and Jeff Glaid, the WGFD biologist who conducted the study, told a room full of anglers in 2024 that if regulations didn’t change, and hooking injuries to fish — like bottom jaws torn off and severe scarring — continued, the department would have to start restocking in earnest.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
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The rescuer takes two trips, hooking each passenger up to a line, then hoisting them from the beach, the video shows.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bending. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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