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
-
Shaw’s prophecy was light years distant from Uncle Jerry’s reality.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
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However, as the digital age took over and print media became less prevalent, this art form faded into a distant memory, kept alive only by professional mixed-media and collage artists.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Another type of hyperpigmentation that kojic acid can help with is melasma—a stubborn and hard-to-treat skin condition characterized by splotchy, brown or grayish patches.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
4 Mar. 2025
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Like this Fire sign, Drizella is unapologetically stubborn and impatience, believing she is entitled to nothing but the best.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
One adult who lives in the detached garage and six adults and three cats who live in an adjacent home were displaced by the fire, according to the post.—
Graeme Taskerud,
The Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2025
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These parents fulfill their child’s basic needs—food, shelter and clothing—but remain emotionally detached and disengaged.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Warner was adamant that oppressors should be stopped not only using military force, but also with intellectual muscle and dialogue.—
Chris Yogerst / Made by History,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
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House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Miami Republican who championed the law in 2022, has been adamant that mandatory financial reserves for building maintenance are essential in preventing another building from crumbling to the ground.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In cold weather, the fluid circulating through the geothermal system’s underground plastic pipes absorbs the relatively warm temperature of the earth and brings it back to home heat pumps, which concentrate the heat and send it into homes.—
Nara Schoenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Mar. 2025
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But as the lingerie giant negotiates around a more cautious consumer, colder weather and tariff uncertainty out of the Trump White House, Hillary Super’s longer-term plans are coming into focus.—
Evan Clark,
WWD,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Many in the department remain steadfast that Mercado should be disciplined — or at least removed from the prestigious investigative unit.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2025
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As a family, our focus remains steadfast on celebrating Doom’s extraordinary legacy—his unparalleled artistry and his lasting impact on music and culture.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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And if that just so happens to lead to a Nobel Peace Prize, that’s cool, too.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
7 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, the Arctic Ocean, once a warm and stratified basin, saw its surface waters cool significantly, eventually allowing sea ice to form.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unbending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbending. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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