|
bend
|
|
- pronunciation:
- bend
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
- phrases:
- around the bend, bend over backward, bend over backwards, the bends
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: |
transitive verb |
inflections: |
bends, bending, bent |
definition 1: |
to make (something) take on a curved or angular form, or a different form.
He accidentally bent the nail.- synonyms:
- angle, buckle, crook, curve, inflect, turn, warp
- antonyms:
- straighten
- similar words:
- arch, bow, bow, double, flex, fold, hook, lean, sag, stoop, twist
|
definition 2: |
to force (someone) to change inclination or direction.
I bent him to my purposes.- synonyms:
- affect, compel, induce, influence, sway
- similar words:
- bias, bow, direct, dispose, double, impel, incline, move, subdue
|
definition 3: |
to impose a strain on; distort.
They are bending the rules, but not breaking them.- synonyms:
- distort, strain, stretch
- similar words:
- contort, twist, warp
|
related words: |
angle, buckle, cock, dip, hang, kink, pervert, round, slant, turn |
|
|
|
part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
definition 1: |
to take on a curved or angled form.
The fishing rod bent under the strain of the fish.One's arm bends at the elbow.
- synonyms:
- buckle, crook, curve, double, warp, wind
- antonyms:
- straighten
- similar words:
- angle, arc, arch, bow, crouch, flex, hook, jog, lean, sag, twist
|
definition 2: |
to lean one's upper body, esp. from the waist (often fol. by over, forward, or back).
- synonyms:
- bow, lean
- similar words:
- bob, crouch, double, hunch, stoop
|
definition 3: |
to yield one's position or opinion.
Will you bend a little on this issue?- synonyms:
- bow, buckle under, yield
- similar words:
- acquiesce, assent, capitulate, come around, come round, defer, fold, knuckle under, submit, succumb, surrender
|
definition 4: |
to change direction in a curving way, as a road.
- synonyms:
- curve, swerve, turn, veer
- similar words:
- deflect, loop, sinuate, twist, zigzag
|
related words: |
bear, buckle, cock, droop, fold, give, grovel, hang, heave, kowtow, meander, mind, round, slant, sway, tend, wind, wrap, yield |
|
phrase: |
bend over backward, bend over backwards |
|
|
part of speech: |
noun |
definition 1: |
the act or process of bending.
- synonyms:
- flection, flexure, turn
- similar words:
- bow, curvature, twist
|
definition 2: |
the condition of being bent.
- synonyms:
- curvature, flection, flexure
- similar words:
- lean
|
definition 3: |
a curved thing, section, or area; curve.
a bend in the roada bend in the river
- synonyms:
- arc, bow, crook, curve, flexure, turn
- similar words:
- arch, deflection, flection, hook, jog
|
related words: |
angle, arc, buckle, crouch, curve, droop, fold, loop, warp, wave |
|
phrase: |
around the bend, the bends |
derivation: |
bendable (adj.) |
|
|