bent 1 of 3

chiefly British

bent

2 of 3

noun

bent

3 of 3

verb

past tense of bend
1
2
3
4
5
6

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun bent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bent are aptitude, faculty, genius, gift, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

When would aptitude be a good substitute for bent?

While the synonyms aptitude and bent are close in meaning, aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

When is faculty a more appropriate choice than bent?

The synonyms faculty and bent are sometimes interchangeable, but faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

In what contexts can genius take the place of bent?

Although the words genius and bent have much in common, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When might gift be a better fit than bent?

The words gift and bent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

Where would knack be a reasonable alternative to bent?

In some situations, the words knack and bent are roughly equivalent. However, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

When is it sensible to use talent instead of bent?

The meanings of talent and bent largely overlap; however, talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 bent
Adjective
Keep your knees directly over your hips and your lower legs parallel to the floor (bent 90 degrees). Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 July 2025 An homage to iconic Gebrüder Thonet Vienna chairs, this vanity dressing table is made of bent tubular wood and gives off serious Key West estate vibes. Elissa Suh, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2025
Noun
The corporate magnate slowly turned into a health guru with a populist bent. Diana Marcum, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025 While bias can mean different things to different people, some data suggests people see political bents in certain AI responses. Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bent
Adjective
  • The radio-wavelength image shows that the black hole’s jet is not straight, but is crooked with three distinct bends.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • In one image, Scales, who had won a Military Cross for his bravery at the front, wears a crooked grimace that suggests recent anguish.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Birds love the honeysuckle and porcelain vine fruits and have the infuriating tendency to pass them through their system undamaged, and then deposit them in your garden, in tremendous numbers, encased in a nice little fertilizer packet.
    Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Since the start of the offseason program, Smith has studied both kickers’ tendencies.
    Mike Kaye August 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Her political ascent is credited in part to her knack for relationship building — a strength to which even political rivals attest.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Ina Garten is known for her elegant recipes, hosting know-how, and signature chambray tops, but she’s also got a knack for interior design.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Brown devoted Wednesdays to mobility and conditioning after years of just incorporating it into his daily workouts.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The special section of Art Bulletin—which, as the discipline’s flagship journal, constitutes a semiofficial statement about AI’s importance in the field—devoted the majority of its space to critical commentary about the application of computer vision to works of art.
    Sonja Drimmer, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • An immigration surge prior to last year’s homeless count likely distorted the picture of homelessness in the country, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis of research by University of Pennsylvania professor Dennis Culhane, a leading national expert on homelessness.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • But the excitement over defeating the evil scientists and saving the damsel is distorted by the sound of Gemma’s distressed cries.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Murillo’s name has been attached to that song since his first few months in Nottingham and one game in particular when West Ham United were the opposition at the City Ground.
    Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Initial experimental validation of the concept Electrodes were attached, and the experiment began in complete darkness, eliminating potential photoelectric interference.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These emails are loaded with deceptive links that lead to malware infections, and the consequences can be severe.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The Center for Democracy and Technology, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and American Civil Liberties Union say the software companies push deceptive marketing practices, exploit fear, normalize invasion of privacy and erode trust.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Martone’s positive inclination is also backed by the quality and attention to detail ICR offers, aspects that not only enabled the company to be the first cosmetics firm in Italy to be certified for its quality in 1996, but are embedded in his family roots.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Diamandis told me that our hardwired inclinations toward selfishness did trouble him sometimes, in the middle of the night.
    Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bent. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!