inflect

verb

in·​flect in-ˈflekt How to pronounce inflect (audio)
inflected; inflecting; inflects
Synonyms of inflectnext

transitive verb

1
: to vary (a word) by inflection : decline, conjugate
2
: to change or vary the pitch of
inflect one's voice
3
: to affect or alter noticeably : influence
an approach inflected by feminism
4
: to turn from a direct line or course : curve

intransitive verb

: to become modified by inflection
inflectable
in-ˈflek-tə-bəl How to pronounce inflect (audio)
adjective
inflective
in-ˈflek-tiv How to pronounce inflect (audio)
adjective

Examples of inflect in a Sentence

Most nouns in English are inflected for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.” Most nouns in English inflect for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.” Most adjectives in English do not inflect for gender or number.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For longer-term investors, the setup here is a business potentially inflecting at the same time the chart is reclaiming structure. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2026 Davis reflected on the tragedy of the situation and the trauma inflected on the surviving children. — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 Along the way, the Yale art historian inflects canonical works with fresh insight, shedding light on the two seasons into which the artist’s sculpture is relentlessly confined in art historical accounts. — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026 On the outside the new face of the CLA is inflected with tri-star icons and glowing new tri-star headlights—a detail that denotes newer and fancier models—with a large Mercedes logo anchoring the grille. — Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inflect

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inflectere, from in- + flectere to bend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of inflect was in the 15th century

Rhymes for inflect

See All Rhymes for inflect

Browse Nearby Words

inflatus
inflect
inflection
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflect. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inflect

verb
in·​flect in-ˈflekt How to pronounce inflect (audio)
1
: to change a word by inflection
2
: to change the pitch of the voice

More from Merriam-Webster on inflect

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inflect

Nglish: Translation of inflect for Spanish Speakers

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