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To cause (something) to change its shape into a curve
“A New Caledonian crow in captivity learned how to bend a piece of straight wire into a hook to probe for food.”
To physically give way under force or pressure
“Normally, for a structure with an immensely heavy roof such as this glasshouse, the roof would typically bend in, and the walls would also begin to bend down.”
To deviate, or cause to deviate, from a straight line
“We are moving so quickly that I am unable to make out how the road will bend next.”
To coil or turn in a spiral or circular motion
“Just as the waves on the sea bend around an obstacle like the end of a pier, so do the light waves bend around the cloud particles.”
To tilt or lean at an angle
“The most likely damage from such forces is that the tower would bend over near the top or middle rather than actually topple like a tree.”
To physically bow or bend over
“As I bend to pick up the briefcase, the officer will already be looking beyond me to the next in line.”
To alter something from its true state, typically to deceive
“According to a recent article, certain scientists engage in deceit or bend the facts according to their biases.”
To submit or surrender to the will or demands of others
“The government appeared to bend to their demands in the face of rising popular support.”
To apply to a task or purpose
“Dickinson will bend himself to the job of electing delegates who will be Inclined to listen to his advice.”
To aim or direct in a given direction
“The effect of a prism is to bend the light towards the base.”
To attach or fasten together
“To bend the sail to the jackstay, the roband ends were passed around the jackstay in opposite directions.”
To fold or bend something over, especially so that it comes in contact with itself
To influence or induce someone to believe or do something
To destroy or damage the value or quality of
To do something that one regards as below one's dignity or level of importance
To bend or hang downwards limply
To act in a subservient or submissive manner
To persuade, or be persuaded, to change an opinion or stance
To put securely in place or in the desired position
To diffuse, radiate or give off
To curl one's body into a small space
To rule over or control arbitrarily or arrogantly
To accept or consent, especially by silence or by omitting to object
To fit by alteration
To distort or influence in a negative way
To move or proceed forward by force
To spin quickly around or in circles, especially repeatedly
Condition caused by rapid change in atmospheric pressure
Plural for a curve or deviation from a straight line or path
“They rounded a bend in the path and could now see a river up ahead.”
Plural for the act of setting, or of being set, at an angle
“The bend of the pole will be toward the middle of the pit, or slightly to the left of center.”
Plural for a shape produced by a curve that bends around and crosses itself, or something in this shape
Plural for a fold or crease, especially of skin or other tissue
Plural for the act of deflecting or something deflected
Plural for a contortion or deformation, or the act of causing one
Plural for a downward or declining slope or surface
Plural for a slight change in position, direction, or tendency
Plural for an act or instance of drooping
Related Words and Phrases
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