bent 1 of 3

chiefly British

bent

2 of 3

noun

bent

3 of 3

verb

past tense of bend
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Synonym Chooser

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

Example 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
Then each of those has all of the individual pine needle branches that can also be bent in any direction. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2025 And Sway bent but didn’t break there. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Gijsje Ribbens, the founder and creative director of RiRa, agrees that this style is all about a return to organic forms and construction, all with a humorous bent. Emily Johnson, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2025 Taylor’s cerebral bent is nothing new, but here, it’s imbued with a fresh, tentative sweetness, and anchored by a genuinely swoony summer romance. Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
Ruby Perkins remembers watching Workman-Duffy’s mother approach her daughter as medics bent over her with an oxygen mask. Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2025 Carl bent to stretch his lower back under cotton-ball clouds. Devon O’Neil, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bent
Adjective
  • Poulaines hurt the wearer’s feet and could make their toe bones crooked.
    Michael Watson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Barry Cooper, the colorful former police officer turned scourge of crooked cops, couldn’t attend the screening of a new film about him at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Arkansas.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Selling a put under those conditions, with roughly 60 days to expiration, positions the seller to capture elevated option premium while capturing the tendency for prices to revert toward the mean.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
  • However, the former collegiate volleyball player says her husband, Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson, doesn't share her cautionary tendencies.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The tall, elegant arches house a variety of books and knick-knacks.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
  • However, West Virginia’s defense has a knack for forcing turnovers.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The long, slender necks and arched stems of Bosc pears, the round, silhouette of Comice.
    Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Upstairs, the loft-style rooms are decked out in designer furniture (specifically, Eames and Bertoia chairs), arched French windows, and polished concrete floors.
    Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Allison Williams makes Morgan spiky and devoted, more to her daughter than to herself — which is actually her problem.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Trump has devoted that attention to ending the war between Israel and Hamas.
    Barry Strauss, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The report aimed to discover what turns singles on and off when visiting a prospective mate’s home.
    Essence, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
  • At its best, the tool aimed to be a bit like Shortcuts, but with no setup, generating workflows on the fly based on user prompts.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Plus, the legs are curved, providing more space to stretch out.
    Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Crafted from solid wood with a contoured seat and gently curved back, this chair combines comfort with a modern yet classic look, ideal for gatherings and everyday meals alike.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These frequent misrepresentations can damage trust not only in the systems themselves but also in news organizations whose content is being distorted.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Some items may become distorted or break down over time if washed with the wrong materials.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bent. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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