unbending

American  

[uhn-ben-ding] / ʌnˈbɛn dɪŋ /

adjective

1. not bending or curving; inflexible; rigid.

2. refusing to yield or compromise; resolute.

3. austere or formal; aloof.

---

unbending British  

/ ʌnˈbɛndɪŋ /

adjective

1. rigid or inflexible

2. characterized by sternness or severity

   an unbending rule

---

Other Word Forms

• unbendingly adverb
• unbendingness noun

Etymology

Origin of unbending

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

Example Sentences

In his one shot at the Champions League, Postecoglou was unbending in his attacking mindset even when drawn against Real Madrid.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2024

It reminded him that pure, unbending clarity of purpose existed, just not in himself.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2024

Religion tends to be about absolute truths and unbending principles.

From Slate • Nov. 9, 2023

They have avoided internal divisions by falling in line behind their ideologically unbending leader.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 13, 2023

It was a musical impulse that relied slavishly on hypnotic repetition and had an unbending loyalty to four steady beats, and it took the world by storm.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall