bent 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bentnext
chiefly British
as in crooked
given to or marked by cheating and deception the drug dealer knew which of the cops were bent

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bent

2 of 3

noun

ˈbent How to pronounce bent (audio)
1
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing the perfect gift for a person of a literary bent

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2
as in knack
a special and usually inborn ability having a decided bent for languages, he picked up Italian in no time

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bent

3 of 3

verb

past tense of bend
1
as in arched
to cause to turn away from a straight line she bent the blade of the knife when she got it jammed in the drawer

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2
as in devoted
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention bent herself to the task for the rest of the day

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3
as in aimed
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 curved
to turn away from a straight line or course the stream bends slightly to the east

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5
as in distorted
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 attached
to cause (something) to hold to another bend a leash to the dog's collar

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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

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

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
The following year, the NTSB issued a special report warning that plastic gas pipes made in the 1960s and early 1970s could be vulnerable to sudden cracking — especially when bent, shifted by soil movement or pressed by other infrastructure. —Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026 Girls Coach Frankie Finley, also a SDA alum, pulled off a 63-second bent arm hang and Coach Whibbs himself did 29 pull-ups. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
This metamorphosis — or metanoia, for those of a religious bent — is an essential part of being human. —Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 Despite its revolutionary bent, the poem—particularly its title—was later co-opted and commercialized. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
At one point, Rohan bent down to point out the remains of a quail, and tucked one of its feathers into his hatband. —Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026 As the clock ran out on their comeback attempt, Tomislav Ivišić bent over, hands on his knees. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bent
  1. crooked
  2. tendency
  3. knack
  4. arched
  5. devoted
  6. aimed
  7. curved
  8. distorted
Adjective
  • Still just missing that big hit to put some of these crooked numbers up there.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of crooked
Noun
  • Fortunately, Sanctions balances its downer tendencies with moments of levity and peculiar arrangements that only Souled American could have concocted.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The tendency to dig your own hole is ironic, and history is a great teacher.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • Her son loved feeding stray cats and had a knack for fixing things, especially cars.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
  • That’s because Deadwyler has proven her knack for summoning visceral, harrowingly realistic emotion in stories of painful resonance, work which has led to a bevy of critics’ awards, Indie Spirit and BAFTA nominations — and a good deal of outcry over Oscar snubs.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of knack
Verb
  • Back on the highway, the rearview mirror showed the clouds had lifted, the waters were still, and a rainbow had arched across the sky.
    — Marlise Kast-Myers, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Sami’s hair and beard were gray, and his thick eyebrows arched over his tired walnut eyes.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of arched
Verb
  • Going back to the roots, this five-star retreat is devoted entirely to authentic Ayurveda.
    — Matt Emma, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Tour properties include dramatic subtropical and desert landscaping, a front yard devoted entirely to succulents, kinetic metal and mosaic art, resident goats and a stop with 17 fruit trees alongside proteas and exotic succulents.
    — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of devoted
Verb
  • In response, both agencies have introduced major operational changes aimed at improving coordination and public safety.
    — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • But critics note Angola still has deep problems with corruption and have questioned if Lourenco’s actions were more aimed at political rivals so as to consolidate his power.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Definition of aimed
Verb
  • The main kitchen is all sleek wooden cabinetry, with an eat-in banquette curved into the central island.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The usually straight path of light gets curved along the warp, with the degree of curvature dictated by how close to the object of mass the light passes.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of curved
Verb
  • However, when that perception becomes distorted, things can easily slip through the cracks.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The woman’s expression, painted in different shades of gray, is intentionally distorted in Picasso’s signature Cubist style.
    — Jake McGowan, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of distorted

Phrases Containing bent

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benisons
bent
benthic
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Cite this Entry

“Bent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bent. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bent for Spanish Speakers

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