WordGarden.iounbend
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnbˈɛnd/
US
- /ˌənˈbɛnd/
Meanings
Verb
to make something straight again after it has been bent or curved
to become less stiff, stern, or formal and relax
Beyond the definition
Just as an archer must eventually unbend a bow to keep the wood from losing its spring, people sometimes need to unbend too: to relax, straighten up, or let go of stiff formality. While it can refer to physically straightening something, like a wire or a piece of metal, it is more often used to describe someone becoming less strict or more approachable. A stern parent might eventually unbend and allow their teenager a little more freedom, or a serious teacher might unbend during a field trip and share a joke. Think of it this way: bending suggests pressure or strictness, and unbending is the release of that tension, returning to a more natural, easygoing state.
To unbend means to straighten or become straight again after being curved or forced out of shape. It describes a physical restoration, such as carefully unbending a paperclip that has been twisted or watching a metal rod return to its original form. "He carefully unbent the wire before using it."
However, the word is most powerful when used figuratively, referring to a person becoming less strict, formal, or severe. When someone who is usually serious chooses to unbend, they show a warmer or more human side. A harsh leader might unbend enough to listen to the concerns of their followers, or a person known for their "stiff upper lip" might finally unbend in the company of close friends. This figurative use suggests a release of internal tension and a willingness to be less rigid.
Historically, the word has appeared in literature to describe the softening of one's resolve or the easing of a grim expression—often referred to as "unbending the brow." It implies that something was previously held under great constraint and is now becoming more open. Whether it is a physical object regaining its shape or a person becoming more approachable, unbend speaks to the restorative process of letting go of rigidity and embracing flexibility.
Examples
- 1
Physical repair
She heated the bent corner of the frame so she could unbend it without breaking it.
- 2
Social relaxation
He seemed very formal at first, but he began to unbend once the meeting was over.
- 3
Informal storytelling
Over dinner, even the headmaster unbent and told a few funny stories.
See also
Similar
- straighten
- straighten out
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- unbend a wire
- unbend a paperclip
- unbend your knees
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
5 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- unbendverb
Forms
- unbending-ing formverb
- unbentpast tensepast participleverb
- unbendedpast tenseverb
- unbendsverb