as in curved
marked by a long series of irregular curves
the river takes a long bending path to the sea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in arching
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devoting
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 aiming
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
as in curving
to turn away from a straight line or course
the stream bends slightly to the east
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in distorting
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 attaching
to cause (something) to hold to another
bend a leash to the dog's collar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bending
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The desire to win has often resulted in athletes bending the rules.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Instead, use safe body mechanics, which can mean squatting to pick up a weight rather than bending over.
—Hadia Zainab, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
The audience then gets the first taste of Icke’s time-bending twist to the play.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Multiple TikTok users posted videos showing Hershey’s bars refusing to snap or melt normally, instead bending in ways that raised immediate suspicion.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Multiple TikTok users posted videos showing Hershey’s bars not snapping or melting normally, but bending.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
The team also conducted bending tests, and applied force to both new and used glass until failure, using the required force as a measure of strength.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
Corridor 109 is also home to a tandem cocktail bar, Bar 109, which debuted in 2025 and serves genre-bending cocktails, plus bites such as Wagyu hot dogs.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
But the Florida House supermajority, after years of blindly bending to DeSantis’ will, apparently decided that protecting Floridians from AI’s worst predations is too much to ask.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The desire to win has often resulted in athletes bending the rules.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Instead, use safe body mechanics, which can mean squatting to pick up a weight rather than bending over.
—Hadia Zainab, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
The audience then gets the first taste of Icke’s time-bending twist to the play.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Multiple TikTok users posted videos showing Hershey’s bars refusing to snap or melt normally, instead bending in ways that raised immediate suspicion.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Multiple TikTok users posted videos showing Hershey’s bars not snapping or melting normally, but bending.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
The team also conducted bending tests, and applied force to both new and used glass until failure, using the required force as a measure of strength.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
Corridor 109 is also home to a tandem cocktail bar, Bar 109, which debuted in 2025 and serves genre-bending cocktails, plus bites such as Wagyu hot dogs.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bending
Adjective
-
This 36-inch-tall tower fan features a curved air inlet and a multi-blade design that creates a natural wind-like effect.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The super high-rise fit defines my waist, while a curved yoke and higher back pockets create a perkier look.—
Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar,
Glamour,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The permanent exhibit includes a full-scale replica of the Nihonbashi Bridge, an arching wooden structure that once joined the five roads to Edo at the gate to the capital.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano was putting on a spectacular show Tuesday evening, with its latest eruptive episode producing arching bands of red lava higher than some skyscrapers.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing will ever undo the original sin, and devoting your life to ruining someone else’s is a loss for both of you.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Tony has fully jumped into our theatre program devoting himself to straight plays and musical theatre.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Fighting Illini are aiming to clinch its first Final Four berth since 2005.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Detroit Free Press Staff,
Freep.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With the main entrance positioned above the building, visitors access the wellness center via a descending staircase and a gently curving ramp.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The changes will close much of the park, including the Greek Theater, Central Promenade, and South Plaza of Civic Center, where big festivals often set up stages and vendors line the curving sidewalks.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The front has square glass block masonry on the lower half, which lets light in while reducing what's visible outside by distorting the view.—
Stefan Ionescu
March 30,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Kyle is just outing herself as a gossip and is distorting what everyone has to say to try to one-up Dorit in her own life.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sports built confidence without attaching identity to performance.—
Mark J. Friedlander,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Follow the plant's natural upward growth pattern and avoid attaching vines in a way that stretches or pulls.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If any one case is thrown out, Trump’s allies will just try again, hooking onto any conceivable excuse until both your will and your resources are depleted.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The trial is a test case, known as a bellwether, tied to about 2,000 other pending lawsuits brought by parents and school districts arguing that social media giants should be considered manufacturers of defective products for hooking a generation of young people to social media feeds.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bending. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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