1
as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
the commanding officer's unbending reserve when dealing with subordinates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
the school's new headmaster is reputed to be an unbending disciplinarian
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in straightening
to cause to follow a line that is without bends or curls
the new highway will largely unbend that twisting path that the old road used to follow
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 unbending
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 Oct. 2021
His voice was deep, brawny, and plaintive; his look delicate but unbending and intense.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2021
Taking fright, however, was not in his character, Mr. Putsila said in an interview at the office of Nexta, the opposition news organization where Mr. Protasevich established himself as one of Mr. Lukashenko’s most effective and unbending critics.
—New York Times, 25 May 2021
Extremists in Afghanistan, in essence, control both sides of that equation — keeping up the violence to help their position in talks now, while holding to their goal of a return to an unbending Islamic rule later.
—Mujib Mashal, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2020
See All Example Sentences for unbending
Adjective
Adding to McConnell's unbending position on the debt ceiling is Democrats' efforts to pass a sweeping $3.5 trillion package that would expand the social safety net and combat climate change.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 Oct. 2021
His voice was deep, brawny, and plaintive; his look delicate but unbending and intense.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2021
Taking fright, however, was not in his character, Mr. Putsila said in an interview at the office of Nexta, the opposition news organization where Mr. Protasevich established himself as one of Mr. Lukashenko’s most effective and unbending critics.
—New York Times, 25 May 2021
Extremists in Afghanistan, in essence, control both sides of that equation — keeping up the violence to help their position in talks now, while holding to their goal of a return to an unbending Islamic rule later.
—Mujib Mashal, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2020
See All Example Sentences for unbending
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbending
Adjective
-
They were supposed to go to distant retrograde orbit — the DRO in the pair's name — around the moon, to help provide navigation and tracking for spacecraft in Earth-moon space.—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
8 May 2025
-
At least eight other Iowa hospitals have stopped offering inpatient mental health care since 2007, forcing people in crisis to seek help at distant facilities.—
Tony Leys,
NPR,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Outside of Washington, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s followers appear to be scrambling the country's stubborn red-blue divide USA TODAY Texas is looking at bills to bring back exercise.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
Unclog a Drain Learning to unclog a stubborn toilet or slow-draining sink can save homeowners a lot of money and trouble.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Some Black women have turned to consistent heat-styling and chemical straightening treatments to more easily manage their natural hair.—
Annie Blay,
Allure,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Lift the barbell by straightening your legs and back simultaneously, keeping your core engaged and your back flat.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Having lived in a 400-square-foot accessory dwelling unit over a detached garage in California before moving to Colorado, Barr was the only person on the council in favor of adopting the Neighborhood Housing Opportunities initiative.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The detached garage, at the back of the driveway, holds one car.—
Angela Serratore,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet even as Bix seems to be an avatar for all the suffering and trauma the Star Wars galaxy has to offer, Arjona is adamant that her character is not a victim.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
-
The league is adamant that the managers and front-office execs were informed, that front offices were updated on the specifics of the umpires’ labor agreement in writing and that there was no intent to keep anyone in the dark.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
South of the border: 'Too scary' U.S. industries are already feeling a cold wind from up north.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
In colder regions, plants can be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors as a houseplant.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
While Broadcom’s financial success since acquiring VMware suggests that its business plan will remain steadfast, sending cease-and-desist letters to VMware users risks further harming its reputation with current and former customers.—
Scharon Harding – May 7,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2025
-
Their team walks clients through every step, offering open communication, empathy, and steadfast support throughout the process.—
Ascend Agency,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
During the performance, the sky was clear with few clouds, and the ocean breeze kept the temperature pleasantly cool.—
Billboard Brasil,
Billboard,
5 May 2025
-
Citizens of Humanity Ayla baggy cuffed mid-rise straight-leg jeans $260 NET-A-PORTER 3.1 Phillip Lim ballet flat $395 NORDSTROM Bring a touch of cool to your denim with of-the-moment sneakerinas.—
Renata Joffre,
Vogue,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unbending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbending. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share