unbend

[uhn-bend]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unbend ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), un·bent or (Archaic) un·bend·ed, un·bend·ing.

to straighten from a bent form or position.

to release from the strain of formality, intense effort, etc.; relax: to unbend one's mind.

to release from tension, as a bow.

Nautical.

to loose or untie, as a sail or rope.
to unfasten from spars or stays, as sails.

verb (used without object), un·bent or (Archaic) un·bend·ed, un·bend·ing.

to relax the strictness of formality or ceremony; act in an easy, genial manner: Imagine him unbending!

to become unbent; straighten.

Origin of unbend

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at un-², bend¹

Related formsun·bend·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for unbend

unwind, recline, soften, calm, breathe, relax, lean, deign, rectify, uncoil, loosen, defrost, melt, dissolve, spread, unravel, unfurl, repose, rest, tranquilize

Examples from the Web for unbend

Historical Examples of unbend

They felt they must unbend after the severe mental tension of the morning.
The Kentucky Ranger
Edward T. Curnick
And be it remembered that our dear Doctor could unbend—that is, in fitting time and place.
The Dew of Their Youth
S. R. Crockett
We had first to unreeve all the ropes, and unbend all the sails.
Peter Trawl
W. H. G. Kingston
They had never before seen him unbend to anybody as he did to George.
George at the Fort
Harry Castlemon
Dolly did not join in her mother's laugh nor unbend in the least.
The Marriage of Elinor
Margaret Oliphant

British Dictionary definitions for unbend

unbend

verb -bends, -bending or -bent

to release or be released from the restraints of formality and ceremony

informal to relax (the mind) or (of the mind) to become relaxed

to become or be made straightened out from an originally bent shape or position

(tr) nautical

to remove (a sail) from a stay, mast, yard, etc
to untie (a rope, etc) or cast (a cable) loose

Derived Formsunbendable, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for unbend

"to relax a bow by unstringing it," mid-13c., from un- (2) + bend (v.). Figurative meaning "to become genial, relax" (1748) has a sense opposite to that of unbending "inflexible, obstinate" (1680s), which does not derive from the bowstringing image.