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bend
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- 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| related words: |
angle, buckle, cock, dip, hang, kink, pervert, round, slant, turn |
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| definition 4: |
to change direction in a curving way, as a road.
- synonyms:
- curve, swerve, turn, veer
- similar words:
- deflect, loop, sinuate, twist, zigzag
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| related words: |
bear, buckle, cock, droop, fold, give, grovel, hang, heave, kowtow, meander, mind, round, slant, sway, tend, wind, wrap, yield |
adverb + (v.)bend
apart, gently, permanently, slightly, slowly, straight
(v.)bend
+ adverb
backward, backwards, close, down, forward, outward, over, sharply, sideways, upward
(v.)bend
+ noun
aluminum,
angle,
arc,
branch,
cane,
curve,
degree,
double,
dumbbell,
ear,
elbow,
flat,
foot,
forearm,
head,
hip,
railing,
rim,
rule,
shape,
sink,
spoon,
steel,
straw,
torso,
trunk,
twist,
waist,
weight,
wind,
wrist
[See all][See only the most frequent]
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| phrase: |
bend over backward, bend over backwards |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
the act or process of bending.
- synonyms:
- flection, flexure, turn
- similar words:
- bow, curvature, twist
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| definition 2: |
the condition of being bent.
- synonyms:
- curvature, flection, flexure
- similar words:
- lean
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| 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
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| related words: |
angle, arc, buckle, crouch, curve, droop, fold, loop, warp, wave |
adjective + (n.)bend
deep, sharp, slight
verb + (n.)bend
disappear, round
noun + (n.)bend
knee
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| phrase: |
around the bend, the bends |
| derivation: |
bendable (adj.) |
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