Synonyms for bend
- verb
- noun
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
1. Curve
turn, curve, flex, twist, crook, give, deform, sway, warp, wind, incline, lean, curl, tend, spring, influence, pretzel informal US CA, mold US, mould UK, apply, persuade, bias, inflect
Noun
Other
corner, angle, curvature, elbow, buckle, sag, deflection, inclination, bight, inflection, inflexion UK
Definitions
- v. 1
To cause (something) to change its shape into a curve, by physical force, chemical action, or any other means.
If you bend the pipe too far, it will break.
- v. 2
To become curved.
Look at the trees bending in the wind.
- v. 3
To cause to change direction.
- n. 1
A curve.
There's a sharp bend in the road ahead.
Related words
- Word family
- bendability bendable bender bendsome bendwise bendy bent
- Phrases
- bend over backwards becket bend sheet bend bend the knee hairpin bend bend down bend one's elbow bend the elbow
- Is a kind of
- form
Choose the right word
In some cases a thing is spoken of as bent where the parts make an angle; but oftener to bend is understood to be to draw to or through a curve; as, to bend a bow. To submit or yield is to bend the mind humbly to another's wishes.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- twist Twist that knob to the right and the box will open.
- curve His car spun out of control going around the curve.
- flex First, straighten your legs, then flex your feet.
- crook One crook plus one crook is equal to zero crooks.
- swerve Boldi managed to swerve around Martha at the last moment.
By length
- 3 letters
- bow1, sag1
- 4 letters
- give1, turn1, wind1, tend1, bias2, lean1, fold1, mold1, curb1, flex1, sway1, warp1, curl1, swag
- 5 letters
- apply2, angle2, twist1, yield1, curve1, elbow2, mould1, crook1, stoop1, bight1, crimp1
- 6 letters
- spring1, corner2, submit2, cringe1, buckle2, crouch1, crease1, subdue2, swerve1, deform2
- 7 letters
- deflect2, incline2, deviate3, pretzel2, diverge2, flexure, inflect
- 8 letters
- persuade2
- 9 letters
- influence3, curvature3, inflexion, plication, incurvate
- 10 letters
- deflection3, inflection3
- 11 letters
- inclination4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (bias2 = 2 syllables).