1
as in bending
to cause to turn away from a straight line
the cat arched her back whenever she was stroked
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in curving
to turn away from a straight line or course
the path gradually arches off into the woods
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arching
Reaching 6 to 10 feet tall with arching branches, this tree's foliage becomes more intense with greater sun exposure.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Over the remainder of the half, the Broncos committed five turnovers and would have been down by even more at the break if not for a high-arching 3-pointer at the buzzer from Buchanan.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Hold the bridge 3 to 4 inches off the floor — just high enough to avoid arching or straining your lower back.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Infiniti’s nomination follows an outcry over her exclusion from the Academy Awards, with co-star Leonardo DiCaprio among those arching an eyebrow.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
At one point, the arching filament detached from one of its anchor points on the sun and launched out into space, blown by the ferocity of the solar wind.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Hakonechloa ‘Stripe It Rich’ Ideal for adding movement, this ornamental grass features arching golden blades with clean white striping.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Pull your stomach inward toward the spine and hold this position without sagging hips or arching your back.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 13 Jan. 2026
It is therefore trained so that a single trunk develops from which an arching canopy grows, eventually reaching a height of 20 feet with an equal spread.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Over the remainder of the half, the Broncos committed five turnovers and would have been down by even more at the break if not for a high-arching 3-pointer at the buzzer from Buchanan.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Hold the bridge 3 to 4 inches off the floor — just high enough to avoid arching or straining your lower back.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Infiniti’s nomination follows an outcry over her exclusion from the Academy Awards, with co-star Leonardo DiCaprio among those arching an eyebrow.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
At one point, the arching filament detached from one of its anchor points on the sun and launched out into space, blown by the ferocity of the solar wind.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Hakonechloa ‘Stripe It Rich’ Ideal for adding movement, this ornamental grass features arching golden blades with clean white striping.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Pull your stomach inward toward the spine and hold this position without sagging hips or arching your back.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 13 Jan. 2026
It is therefore trained so that a single trunk develops from which an arching canopy grows, eventually reaching a height of 20 feet with an equal spread.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arching
Verb
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Although the legislation impacts renters and landlords across the city, the proposal was introduced after residents of the Serra Grove apartment complex complained their new landlord was bending substantial renovation rules to clear out longtime renters and re-list units at double the price.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Harvesting plants grown on trellises requires less bending and stretching and can be easier on your back.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The entry opens to a dramatic foyer with a sweeping staircase with curving iron balusters.—
Lynn Slaney Silguero,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
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An industrial landscape gives way to vast marshes spliced by curving waterways.—
Kara Newman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And, to no one's disappointment, seasons 2 and 3 followed suit, hooking fans even more.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
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Also mentioned is an auto-hitch system to simplify hooking it up to the tow vehicle.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Grow a backbone, quit bowing down.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Young Americans, often skeptical of institutions at home, seem surprisingly comfortable with Japan’s dense web of social expectations, from bowing to sorting trash into multiple categories.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arching. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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