unbending

adjective

un·​bend·​ing ˌən-ˈben-diŋ How to pronounce unbending (audio)
1
: not bending : unyielding, inflexible
an unbending will
2
: aloof or unsocial in manner : reserved

Examples of unbending in a Sentence

He has an unbending will. the commanding officer's unbending reserve when dealing with subordinates
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In many parts of the developing world, China has come to be seen as a rapacious and unbending creditor, not so different from the Western multinational corporations and lenders that sought to collect on bad debts in decades past. Michael Bennon, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023 Assad responded then with unbending violence, and the revolt turned into a bloody civil war that tore the country apart. Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2023 Amidst this controversy, in 1998, Manning met the scientist who would become his unbending ally. Timothy Pratt, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2022 The result has been a most uncivil war, not fought over ideology, but over loyalty to the former president; not over public policy or economic solutions, but about who can serve as the most unbending conduit of the Republican base’s profound anger. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 18 Feb. 2022 See all Example Sentences for unbending 

Word History

Etymology

un- entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unbending was circa 1688

Dictionary Entries Near unbending

Cite this Entry

“Unbending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unbending. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unbending

adjective
un·​bend·​ing ˌən-ˈben-diŋ How to pronounce unbending (audio)
1
2
: not relaxed and easy in manner : aloof

More from Merriam-Webster on unbending

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!