bent on

Idioms

Also, bent upon. Determined, resolved, as in Jamie is bent on winning the math prize. This phrase, first recorded in 1762, always uses the past participle of the verb bend in the sense of “tend toward.”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The future belongs to those who innovate, and Israel and India are bent on innovation," Netanyahu said on Thursday, standing next to Modi.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

His path took shape after Chávez, a young tank commander bent on remaking Venezuela, launched a failed coup in 1992 and was jailed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

There are no human characters in “Badlands,” only expendable mechanical representatives of a megacorporation bent on bringing the known universe to heel.

From Salon • Nov. 12, 2025

ILe was bent on expanding the avenues of Latin music, but she was going to achieve this by delving into the venerable genres connected to her heritage.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2025

On everyone’s lips was the news that Norway’s Prince Fortinbras was marching toward Denmark, bent on revenging his father’s defeat.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023