unbend
/ʌnˈbɛnd/verb
unbend is spelled U-N-B-E-N-D: 6 letters and 2 syllables. It appears about once in every 44 million words in written English, the 204,233rd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a verb, unbend means “To remove a bend so as to make, or allow to become, straight” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in unbend?
| Letters | 6: U-N-B-E-N-D |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 44 million words; the 204,233rd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is unbend?
Unbend appears about once in every 44 million words in written English, the 204,233rd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce unbend?
- /ʌnˈbɛnd/
Unbend has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-unbend.ogg, LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-unbend.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of unbend
- unbends present, singular, he/she/it
- unbending participle, present
- unbent participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does unbend mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
verb
- 1
To remove a bend so as to make, or allow to become, straight.
to unbend a bow
- 2
To release (a load) from a strain or from exertion; to set at ease for a time; to relax.
to unbend the mind from study or care
- 3
To unfasten sails from the spars or stays to which are attached for use.
- 4
To cast loose or untie
Unbend the rope.
- 5
To cease to be bent; to become straight.
- 6
To relax in exertion, attention, severity, or the like
- 7
archaicto enjoy oneself; to become affable and free from formality
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Unbend in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
In the sense to remove a bend:
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | redresser, se détendre |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does unbend come from?
From Middle English unbenden, equivalent to un- + bend.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).