1
as in to arch
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to devote
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 to aim
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
5
as in to distort
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to attach
to cause (something) to hold to another
bend a leash to the dog's collar
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in curvature
something that curves or is curved
it's hard to see around that bend in the road, so be careful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bend
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
This effect occurs because Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of sunlight while allowing longer wavelengths — red and orange light — to bend into Earth's shadow and illuminate the moon.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Classic largemouth water in a river would be a murky, slow-moving bend with thick cover (think fallen trees, heavy vegetation, and boat docks).
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bend
Verb
But Black Bag is electrifying, with Soderbergh operating in his God mode — portraying highly competent people attempting to outwit one another in beautiful clothes, the light practically bending to their beauty and banter.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
This effect occurs because Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of sunlight while allowing longer wavelengths — red and orange light — to bend into Earth's shadow and illuminate the moon.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
Here, the passage of time is measured in shifting light, the slow bend of jacaranda branches heavy with violet blooms, the way dry hills blush green after an elusive rain.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Classic largemouth water in a river would be a murky, slow-moving bend with thick cover (think fallen trees, heavy vegetation, and boat docks).
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bend
Verb
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Keep your shoulders, ribs and hips stacked over your knees without arching your back.—
Dana Santas,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
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Its semi-evergreen, narrow, grass-like leaves arch gracefully, providing a fine textured appearance.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In the series, FitzGerald devotes one episode to rising insurance premiums for housing in Florida because of increasing flood risks, and how the risk initially was underpriced in order to encourage development there.—
Caitlin Huston,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
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Living relatively modestly for most of the year allows Brewer to devote significant funds toward her life’s passion: travel.—
Ryan Ermey,Zachary Green,
CNBC,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Multiple fans aim cool breezes toward the cook and discourage mosquitoes and flies from hanging around.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
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The arrest is in support of a recent executive order aimed at combating antisemitism.—
Bastiaan Vanacker,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Moving away from her usual hairstyles, Rihanna opted for a straight midi-bob cut that curved in at the tips and rested on her shoulders.—
Teresa Romero Martínez,
Glamour,
22 Mar. 2025
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See the conservatory, the rose garden, the Great Lawn, and the Bayou Boardwalk that stretches out over the river and curves back toward land.—
Caroline Rogers,
Southern Living,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Trump portrait removed from Colorado Capitol after president called it 'distorted' Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
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And Washington demanded that the Chinese government stop subsidizing the production and export of goods, which distorted the global marketplace.—
Michael B. G. Froman,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Fans navigating the dozens of schools in the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments might become as attached to the mascots as the athletes themselves.—
John Raby,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
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When the last of his players finished talking and left the interview area, Reiser looked both ways and then pulled out his iPhone, with a Mass card attached to the back, and let his story out in whispers.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Its exquisite exterior curvatures are a match for no other as Range Rover delivers royalty to all consumers.—
Marc D Grasso,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2025
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The custom rug by Sacco Carpet mirrors the curvature of the ceiling.—
Greg Carannante,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Despite the court's progressive tilt, most justices aligned with majority-Republican plaintiffs who challenged the measure.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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However things shake out over the next few weeks, the men’s championship game is all but guaranteed to step up again after playing second fiddle to the women’s tilt a year ago.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bend. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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