unbending

IPA/ˌʌnˈbendɪŋ/
KK[ˌʌnbˈɛndɪŋ]IPA/ˌʌnˈbendɪŋ/

unbending — adjective

  • unbendingpositive
  • more unbendingcomparative
  • most unbendingsuperlative

1. used to describe a person who keeps their own strong opinions or decisions and w

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

used to describe a person who keeps their own strong opinions or decisions and will not change them, even when other people argue strongly against them.

Example

The landlord remained unbending and refused to lower the rent for the tenants.

pattern: remained unbending + refused to [action]

Cole's unbending position on the deadline meant no extensions were given.

Common collocations
  • unbending attitude
  • unbending position
  • unbending stance
  • unbending commitment
  • unbending opposition
  • unbending will
  • remain unbending
  • stay unbending
Synonyms
  • inflexible

    most neutral and widely used; often describes rules, systems, or people that cannot adapt

  • rigid

    suggests stiffness and brittleness, especially of systems, beliefs, or procedures

  • uncompromising

    implies firm adherence to principles; can be positive (principled) or negative (unreasonable)

Antonyms
  • flexible

    able to adapt to new circumstances or ideas

  • open-minded

    willing to consider different opinions before deciding

Grammar Patterns

be unbending

remain unbending

unbending + noun (attitude / position / stance)

Usage Note

Unlike everyday words such as 'stubborn' or 'inflexible,' unbending is formal and more common in written or literary contexts. It is rarely used for physical objects (e.g. an unbending wire), even though that was the original literal meaning.

Common Mistakes

The manager was unbending to accept our suggestions.
The manager was unbending and refused to accept our suggestions.
unbending is an adjective, not a verb; it cannot be followed by a to-infinitive.
She is too unbending with the children.' (sounds odd in casual speech)
She is too strict with the children and never gives in.
unbending is overly formal for everyday family conversations.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a refusal to change, but they differ in tone and context. Inflexible is the most neutral and widely used, describing rules, systems, or people that cannot adapt ('an inflexible schedule'). Rigid suggests brittleness and is common for systems or beliefs ('rigid classroom rules'). Uncompromising implies principled firmness and can be either positive ('an uncompromising commitment to quality') or negative ('an uncompromising negotiator'). Stubborn is more personal and usually critical, focusing on unreasonable persistence ('a stubborn child who refused to eat vegetables'). Unbending is the most formal and literary, emphasizing a dignified refusal to yield ('The judge remained unbending under political pressure'). In casual speech, stubborn and inflexible are far more natural than unbending.

inflexible ↗rigid ↗uncompromising ↗stubborn ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Formed from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') and the present participle 'bending' of the verb 'bend.' The literal sense 'not physically bending' appeared in English in the 1500s, and the figurative meaning 'not yielding in opinion or attitude' developed soon afterward. The word has been used to describe a person's unyielding character since the 1600s.