verb
Meaning 1
To remove a bend so as to make, or allow to become, straight.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- to unbend a bow
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
unbend
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
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/ʌnˈbɛnd/
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US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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rhymes with -ɛnd
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CMU ARPABET: AH2 N B EH1 N D Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
verb
Meaning 2
To release (a load) from a strain or from exertion; to set at ease for a time; to relax.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- to unbend the mind from study or care
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 3
To unfasten sails from the spars or stays to which are attached for use.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: nautical, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 4
To cast loose or untie
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- Unbend the rope.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 5
To cease to be bent; to become straight.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 6
To relax in exertion, attention, severity, or the like
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 7
to enjoy oneself; to become affable and free from formality
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 8
release from mental strain, tension, or formality
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- unbend the mind from absorbing too much information
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: relax, unstrain, unlax, loosen up, unwind, make relaxed
verb
Meaning 9
become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- He relaxed in the hot tub
- Let's all relax after a hard day's work
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: relax, loosen up, unwind, decompress, slow down
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: change state, turn
Narrower terms: vege out, vegetate, sit back, take it easy
verb
Meaning 10
make less taut
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- relax the tension on the rope
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: relax
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: loosen, loose
Narrower terms: unbrace
verb
Meaning 11
free from flexure
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- unbend a bow
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: bend
Broader terms: straighten, straighten out
verb
Meaning 12
unfasten, as a sail, from a spar or a stay
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: unfasten
verb
Meaning 13
straighten up or out; make straight
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: straighten
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: change posture
History
Etymology
From Middle English unbenden, equivalent to un- + bend.
Across languages
Translations
6 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Bulgarian: изправям (izpravjam) — to remove a bend
- French: redresser — to remove a bend
- French: se détendre — to remove a bend
- Ido: laxeskar — to remove a bend
- Ido: laxigar — to remove a bend
- Italian: svergare — to remove a bend