unbending

[ uhn-ben-ding ]

adjective

1. not bending or curving; inflexible; rigid.
2. refusing to yield or compromise; resolute.
3. austere or formal; aloof.

unbending

/ ʌnˈbɛndɪŋ /

adjective

1. rigid or inflexible
2. characterized by sternness or severity

   an unbending rule

Derived Forms

• unˈbendingness, noun
• unˈbendingly, adverb

Other Words From

• un·bending·ly adverb
• un·bending·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unbending¹

First recorded in 1545–55; un- ¹ + bend ¹( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

Koop, a man of the far right, was standing tall and unbending.

From The Daily Beast

Ayalon himself told me in in October 2010 that zero-enrichment is an unbending Israeli red line.

From The Daily Beast

Now those positions are coming back to haunt him as Republican activists demand a candidate of unbending right-wing convictions.

From The Daily Beast

Washington, unbending in his role as the noblest republican of them all, administered a severe blow to imperial pride.

From The Daily Beast

In his own opinion no better agent could have been found in the rle of a stern, unbending republican and fiery Jacobin.

From Project Gutenberg

There were no holidays in the term Joan had set for herself, no unbending, no relaxation from her books.

From Project Gutenberg

He was unbending, hard, and lucid only when he spoke on some detail of business, or on some point of policy.

From Project Gutenberg

Dumiger and Marguerite stood side by side, alarmed, but still unbending; and yet the man who spoke to them was of great power.

From Project Gutenberg

As no one suffered inconvenience at his attitude, however, Shan Tien's expression assumed a more unbending cast.

From Project Gutenberg