as in to straighten
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
Relevance
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 unbend
While rigid machines, vehicles, and robots made of unbending steel, plastic, and composite materials are ideal for most contemporary manufacturing, transport and combat needs, other tasks require far greater flexibility, such as that which animals possess.
—
New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2025
Without unbending her back, the mother arranges her mouth into a placid line.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
After An Enemy of the People, Ibsen got fed up with a public that essentially equated him with that play’s hero, Dr. Stockmann, the unbending idealist who calls out community corruption and has his life torn apart for it.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
The social hierarchy is unbending, but Flora knows she is destined for something greater, even though this puts her at odds with her superiors.
—Vogue, 29 July 2025
Ceaseless in his service, unbending in his dignity, and revered for his commitment to our common humanity.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024
Conway’s initials tasks were to unbend the chassis, straighten the body, and rebuild the engine.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2024
Both scenes are memorable and stunning in a solid, not remarkable, film that warmly celebrates the unbending love shared between a mother and a son and the courage and bravery of Londoners during The Blitz.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
The paper watch sensors survived preliminary stress testing that involved bending and unbending for 300 cycles.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Jan. 2017
New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2025
Without unbending her back, the mother arranges her mouth into a placid line.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
After An Enemy of the People, Ibsen got fed up with a public that essentially equated him with that play’s hero, Dr. Stockmann, the unbending idealist who calls out community corruption and has his life torn apart for it.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
The social hierarchy is unbending, but Flora knows she is destined for something greater, even though this puts her at odds with her superiors.
—Vogue, 29 July 2025
Ceaseless in his service, unbending in his dignity, and revered for his commitment to our common humanity.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024
Conway’s initials tasks were to unbend the chassis, straighten the body, and rebuild the engine.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2024
Both scenes are memorable and stunning in a solid, not remarkable, film that warmly celebrates the unbending love shared between a mother and a son and the courage and bravery of Londoners during The Blitz.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
The paper watch sensors survived preliminary stress testing that involved bending and unbending for 300 cycles.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbend
straighten
Verb
-
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
From the same position, remove the pillow or block and, leaving one foot on the floor, slowly straighten the opposite leg toward the ceiling.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unbend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbend. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
