unbend

UK: /ʌnˈbɛnd/ US: /ʌnˈbɛnd/ ,(un bend′)

Inflections of 'unbend' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

unbends

v 3rd person singular

unbending

v pres p

unbent

v past

unbent

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•bend /ʌnˈbɛnd/   v., -bent, -bend•ing. 

1. to (cause to) straighten from a bent form or position: [~ + object]
   to unbend the crooked bar.
   [no object]
   He slowly unbent after stooping.
2. to become less formal;
   relax:
   [no object] gradually unbent and even told a joke.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•bend  (un bend′), v., -bent or (Archaic) -bend•ed, -bend•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to straighten from a bent form or position.
2. to release from the strain of formality, intense effort, etc.;
   relax:
   to unbend one's mind.
3. to release from tension, as a bow.
4. [Naut.]
   • Nautical to loose or untie, as a sail or rope.
   • Nautical to unfasten from spars or stays, as sails.

v.i. 

5. to relax the strictness of formality or ceremony;
   act in an easy, genial manner:
   Imagine him unbending!
6. to become unbent;
   straighten.

• 1200–50; Middle English; see un-², bend¹

un•bend′a•ble, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

unbend / ʌnˈbɛnd/ verb ( -bends, -bending, -bent)

1. to release or be released from the restraints of formality and ceremony
2. to relax (the mind) or (of the mind) to become relaxed
3. to become or be made straightened out from an originally bent shape or position
4. (transitive) to remove (a sail) from a stay, mast, yard, etc
5. to untie (a rope, etc) or cast (a cable) loose