Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

unbend

/ʌnˈbɛnd/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.36 in modern English

Syllables: un-bend
IPA: /ʌnˈbɛnd/

9

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To remove a bend so as to make, or allow to become, straight.

verb

To release (a load) from a strain or from exertion; to set at ease for a time; to relax.

verb

To unfasten sails from the spars or stays to which are attached for use.

verb

To cast loose or untie

verb

To cease to be bent; to become straight.

verb

To relax in exertion, attention, severity, or the like

verb

to enjoy oneself; to become affable and free from formality

Archaic

Example Sentences

"to unbend a bow"
"He leant tensely against the corridor wall and frowned like a man trying to unbend a corkscrew by telekinesis."
"to unbend the mind from study or care"
"You do unbend your noble strength."
"Unbend the rope."
"He spent the afternoon shaping a swagger-stick from the branch of jarrah and talking with Miss La Rue, who had sufficiently unbent toward him to notice his existence."

Etymology

From Middle English unbenden, equivalent to un- + bend.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Prefix: un
Root: unbenden

Usage

Archaic

Inflected Forms

unbends (present, singular) unbending (participle, present) unbent (participle, past) unbent (past) unbended (archaic, participle) unbended (archaic, past)

Synonyms

relax loosen up unwind decompress slow down straighten

Rhymes With

end high-end friend send dead-end spend recommend tend attend trend defend extend

Questions

How do you pronounce unbend?: The recorded pronunciation is /ʌnˈbɛnd/.
What does unbend mean?: To remove a bend so as to make, or allow to become, straight.
Where does unbend come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce unbend

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “unbend”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ʌnˈbɛnd/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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