inflect

American  

[in-flekt] / ɪnˈflɛkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to alter, adapt, or modulate (the voice).

2. to alter or adapt in tone or character: jazz-inflected music.

   the power of storytelling inflected through a feminist sensibility;

   jazz-inflected music.

3. Grammar.

   1. to apply inflection to (a word).

   2. to recite or display all or a distinct set of the inflections of (a word); decline or conjugate.

4. to bend; turn from a direct line or course.

5. Botany. to bend in.

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verb (used without object)

1. Grammar. to be characterized by inflection.

inflect British  

/ ɪnˈflɛkt /

verb

1. (grammar) to change (the form of a word) or (of a word) to change in form by inflection

2. (tr) to change (the voice) in tone or pitch; modulate

3. (tr) to cause to deviate from a straight or normal line or course; bend

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Other Word Forms

• inflectedness noun
• inflective adjective
• inflector noun
• noninflected adjective
• uninflected adjective
• uninflective adjective

Etymology

Origin of inflect

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English inflecten, from Latin inflectere “to bend in,” equivalent to in- in- ² + flectere “to bend, curve”; flex ¹

Example Sentences

She added that January’s gains were broad based across demographics, and that a chaotic month for international affairs hadn’t seemed to inflect consumers’ economic views.

From The Wall Street Journal

Under the direction of Sarah Frankcom, the actors inflect the dialogue with welcome variety, although the overall tone remains firmly dispassionate and emotionally colorless, as befits the dialogue’s cool tone.

From The Wall Street Journal

In his view, sales and earnings growth rates for both categories will inflect positively on the back of Gap’s initiatives to turn several struggling businesses around.

From Barron's

The analysts said that at Sweetgreen, they expect that “store traffic will take time to inflect positively as macro pressures are likely to persist and consumer spending remains depressed, particularly among younger consumers.”

From MarketWatch

Bias: Value-oriented “accumulate” for patient investors; build positions gradually and be prepared for extended periods of underperformance until technicals and sentiment inflect.

From Barron's

Related Words

• announce
• articulate
• assert
• declare
• deliver
• emphasize
• present
• proclaim
• say
• speak
• tell
• utter
• vent