If you describe a person or their behaviour as unbending, you mean that they have very strict beliefs and attitudes, which they are unwilling to change.
He was rigid and unbending.
...her unbending opposition to the old regime.
Synonyms: inflexible, strict, rigid, firm More Synonyms of unbending
unbending in British English
(ʌnˈbɛndɪŋ)
adjective
1.
rigid or inflexible
2.
characterized by sternness or severity
an unbending rule
Derived forms
unbendingly (unˈbendingly)
adverb
unbendingness (unˈbendingness)
noun
unbending in American English
(ʌnˈbɛndɪŋ)
adjective
1.
not bending
; specif.,
a.
rigid; stiff
b.
firm; resolute
c.
aloof; austere
noun
2.
a relaxation of restraint, severity, etc.
Derived forms
unbendingly (unˈbendingly)
adverb
Word origin
< unbend
Examples of 'unbending' in a sentence
unbending
The chill rain of this unbending April pattered at the window.
Loraine, Philip LOADED QUESTIONS (2003)
I'd always had Watts down as an unbending authoritarian, but now I realized I'd misjudged him.
Magnus Mills THE SCHEME FOR FULL EMPLOYMENT (2003)
The man looked past Crook at Elizabeth's unbending profile.
West, Charles STAGE FRIGHT (2003)
She felt her own stiffness, her own unbending hard shell as she moved around doing her mother'schores - now her chores.
Miller, Sue FAMILY PICTURES (2003)
(adjective)
Definition
rigid or inflexible
her unbending opposition to the old regime
Synonyms
inflexible
They viewed him as stubborn, inflexible and dogmatic.
strict
French privacy laws are very strict.
rigid
My father is very rigid in his thinking.
firm
They needed the firm guiding hand of a parental figure.
tough
He announced tough measures to limit the money supply.
severe
This was a dreadful crime and a severe sentence is necessary.
stubborn
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
hardline
They've taken a lot of criticism for their hard-line stance.
uncompromising
She is considered a tough and uncompromising negotiator.
resolute
a decisive and resolute international leader
intractable
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
unyielding
his unyielding attitude on this subject
Additional synonyms
in the sense of firm
They needed the firm guiding hand of a parental figure.
Synonyms
strict,
unwavering,
unswerving,
unshakeable,
constant,
stalwart,
resolute,
inflexible,
steadfast,
unyielding,
immovable,
unflinching,
unbending,
obdurate,
unalterable,
unfaltering
in the sense of hardline
Definition
tough and uncompromising
They've taken a lot of criticism for their hard-line stance.
Synonyms
tough,
extreme,
strict,
definite,
uncompromising,
single-minded,
inflexible,
diehard,
unyielding,
intransigent,
immoderate,
undeviating
in the sense of intractable
Definition
(of a person) difficult to influence or direct
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
Synonyms
difficult,
contrary,
awkward,
wild,
stubborn,
perverse,
wayward,
unruly,
uncontrollable,
wilful,
incurable,
fractious,
unyielding,
obstinate,
intransigent,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
undisciplined,
cantankerous,
unbending,
obdurate,
uncooperative,
stiff-necked,
ungovernable,
self-willed,
refractory,
obstreperous,
pig-headed,
bull-headed
Nearby words of
unbending
unbeliever
unbelieving
unbend
unbending
unbiased
unbidden
unbind
Related terms of
unbending
unbend
Synonyms of 'unbending'
unbending
Explore 'unbending' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of resolute
Definition
firm in purpose or belief
a decisive and resolute international leader
Synonyms
determined,
set,
firm,
dogged,
fixed,
constant,
bold,
relentless,
stubborn,
stalwart,
staunch,
persevering,
inflexible,
purposeful,
tenacious,
undaunted,
strong-willed,
steadfast,
obstinate,
unwavering,
immovable,
unflinching,
unbending,
unshakable,
unshaken
in the sense of rigid
Definition
inflexible or strict
My father is very rigid in his thinking.
Synonyms
inflexible,
harsh,
stern,
adamant,
uncompromising,
unrelenting,
unyielding,
intransigent,
unbending,
invariable,
unalterable,
undeviating
in the sense of severe
Definition
strict or harsh in the treatment of others
This was a dreadful crime and a severe sentence is necessary.
Synonyms
strict,
hard,
harsh,
cruel,
rigid,
relentless,
drastic,
oppressive,
austere,
Draconian,
unrelenting,
inexorable,
pitiless,
unbending,
iron-handed
in the sense of strict
Definition
(of a punishment, etc.) harsh or severe
French privacy laws are very strict.
Synonyms
severe,
harsh,
stern,
firm,
rigid,
rigorous,
stringent,
austere
in the sense of stubborn
Definition
persistent and determined
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
Synonyms
obstinate,
dogged,
inflexible,
fixed,
persistent,
intractable,
wilful,
tenacious,
recalcitrant,
unyielding,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
unshakeable,
self-willed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
mulish,
cross-grained,
contumacious
in the sense of tough
Definition
strict and firm
He announced tough measures to limit the money supply.
Synonyms
strict,
severe,
stern,
hard,
firm,
exacting,
adamant,
resolute,
draconian,
intractable,
inflexible,
merciless,
unforgiving,
unyielding,
unbending
in the sense of uncompromising
Definition
not prepared to compromise
She is considered a tough and uncompromising negotiator.