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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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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
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Placing in a distant second was Trump Jr., with 12%.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
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To be clear: The consumer version of a psychiatric BCI like Inner Cosmos’ Digital Pill may be just as distant or hypothetical as any other BCI.—
Naveen Rao,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Described by family as larger-than-life in personality and stature, the 6-foot-5-inch Wesley is remembered as a jovial, fiercely stubborn man with a quick wit and passion for advocacy.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
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Happy Birthday for Saturday, March 29, 2025: You are opinionated and stubborn.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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The property comes with a detached garage with a stylish glass garage door and a car charger.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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The designation includes the original detached garage, pool and relevant landscape design elements.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Nobody’s shooting on this season’s Longhorns would be mistaken for Stephen Curry’s, but Schaefer is adamant that this group stands out among his 20-year head-coaching career.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Still, Jenkins was adamant about not moving to the city.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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No longer enthusiastic about their road trip, the Brits are cold and looking a little nervous.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
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But the weather is expected to be cold and rainy in Chicago.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Despite the shifting sands in the content marketplace, Mayer assured the crowd of industry insiders that Blackrock remains steadfast in its Candle investment.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
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Despite growing exhaustion, Booker remained steadfast, sustaining himself with only water as his voice grew stronger with emotion.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For a little, minor-league ballpark, this is a cool, intimate experience.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
1 Apr. 2025
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Spring planting is best in cooler climes that don't experience extreme heat in summer.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unbending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbending. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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