BENT Synonyms: 404 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'bent' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bent are aptitude , faculty , genius , gift , knack , and talent . While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability. // a family with an artistic bent

Q: When would 'aptitude' be a good substitute for 'bent'?

While the synonyms aptitude and bent are close in meaning, aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it. // a mechanical aptitude

Q: When is 'faculty' a more appropriate choice than 'bent'?

The synonyms faculty and bent are sometimes interchangeable, but faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function. // a faculty for remembering names

Q: In what contexts can 'genius' take the place of 'bent'?

Although the words genius and bent have much in common, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability. // has no great genius for poetry

Q: When might 'gift' be a better fit than 'bent'?

The words gift and bent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gift often implies special favor by God or nature. // the gift of singing beautifully

Q: Where would 'knack' be a reasonable alternative to 'bent'?

In some situations, the words knack and bent are roughly equivalent. However, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance. // the knack of getting along

Q: When is it sensible to use 'talent' instead of 'bent'?

The meanings of talent and bent largely overlap; however, talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed. // has enough talent to succeed

bent 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bent next

chiefly British

as in crooked

given to or marked by cheating and deception the drug dealer knew which of the cops were bent

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bent

2 of 3

noun

ˈbent

as in tendency

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing the perfect gift for a person of a literary bent

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as in knack

a special and usually inborn ability having a decided bent for languages, he picked up Italian in no time

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bent

3 of 3

verb

past tense of bend

as in arched

to cause to turn away from a straight line she bent the blade of the knife when she got it jammed in the drawer

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as in devoted

to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention bent herself to the task for the rest of the day

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as in aimed

to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal bent all of his efforts toward making his first documentary film

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as in curved

to turn away from a straight line or course the stream bends slightly to the east

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straightened

as in distorted

to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of attorneys bending the facts to put their client in the most favorable light

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as in attached

to cause (something) to hold to another bend a leash to the dog's collar

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How does the noun bent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bent are aptitude, faculty, genius, gift, knack, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

When would aptitude be a good substitute for bent?

While the synonyms aptitude and bent are close in meaning, aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

When is faculty a more appropriate choice than bent?

The synonyms faculty and bent are sometimes interchangeable, but faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

In what contexts can genius take the place of bent?

Although the words genius and bent have much in common, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When might gift be a better fit than bent?

The words gift and bent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

Where would knack be a reasonable alternative to bent?

In some situations, the words knack and bent are roughly equivalent. However, knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

When is it sensible to use talent instead of bent?

The meanings of talent and bent largely overlap; however, talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of bent

Adjective

Her steering wheel, bent and broken, could indicate that Silkwood braced her arms as the impact occurred -- inconsistent with someone being unconscious at the time. —

Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024 For some, one partner lying on their back with their legs bent and spread while the other sits sideways works best. —

Adejoke Mason, Them, 3 Dec. 2024

Noun

Atkins was widely considered the most conservative member of the SEC during his tenure at the agency and was known to have a strong free-market bent. —

CBS News, 4 Dec. 2024 Creed’s music famously has a religious bent that may appeal to more conservative listeners. —

James Pero, WIRED, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bent

Adjective

The official seizure seals hung crooked across the front gate, half-unstuck.

Madeleine Wattenbarger, Eliana Gilet, & Axel Hernández, The Dial, 17 Dec. 2024
From background to foreground, the painting depicts a haloed Virgin Mary, a young Jesus standing between her knees, St. Jerome asleep on the ground, and St. John the Baptist, clad sparsely in animal skins, pointing a crooked finger toward the figures behind him.

Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024

Definition of crooked

Cite this Entry

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“Bent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bent. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

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Last Updated: 28 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of bent

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