bend 1 of 2

Definition of bendnext
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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

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as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course the stream bends slightly to the east

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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bend

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noun

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 bend
Verb
In the footage the woman bends, loops her fingers around the laces, once, twice, grass stains on her knees. Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026 But according to Ripa, all Seacrest had to do was bend over to pick up a tissue for his trousers to tear. Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
As the temperature drops, the cold causes the protein to shift into a more stable state in which one of its key structural pillars bends sharply, breaks away from its neighbor and straightens out. Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2026 Even modest savings per bend add up. Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bend
Verb
  • One of the most common mistakes, Williams said, is failing to properly brace the core, which can cause the lower back to arch and the spine to fall out of alignment.
    Christa Sgobba, Health, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Sami’s hair and beard were gray, and his thick eyebrows arched over his tired walnut eyes.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Illinois devotes significant resources to recruiting overseas to bring in their large international contingent — including Croatian twin centers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić and freshman forward David Mirković.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Aleksei stopped working and devoted his full attention to his sons and their hockey development, leaving Olga to support the family.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • During oral arguments, several conservative justices questioned the legal foundation and practical enforcement of the policy, which aims to deny citizenship to some children born in the United States to undocumented or temporary immigrant parents.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The program is part of Film Independent’s broader Artist Development initiatives, which aim to support emerging filmmakers through labs, mentorship and grants.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Arbat might even derive from gorbat (hunchback), because the road curved in and around streams.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
  • On the exterior of a white-walled building with a curving roof—a production facility where steel parts for the company’s eponymous pistol are manufactured—hung an enormous billboard.
    Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Objects were frequently distorted or missing key components.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Their shapes often distort as one galaxy exerts tidal forces on the other.
    Big Think, Big Think, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The day began with introductions in a garage attached to the gym.
    Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The suspects then drove away with the ATM attached to the vehicle, according to the statement.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This curved gaming monitor has a curvature of 100R, which fills your peripheral vision and keeps you immersed within your playing sessions.
    George Yang, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
  • That’s how spatial curvature works.
    Big Think, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The center features a video wall where feeds from license plate readers and pan tilt zoom cameras are monitored.
    Leondra Head, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • In a South Coast Conference tilt, Akira’Ley Vazquez and Olivia Araujo each finished two-for-four, hitting a home run respectively as Greater New Bedford cruised to a 5-1 victory over Seekonk.
    Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bend. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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