BENT Synonyms: 404 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bent 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bent

chiefly British

as in crooked

given to or marked by cheating and deception the drug dealer knew which of the cops were bent

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bent

2 of 3

noun

ˈbent

as in tendency

a habitual attraction to some activity or thing the perfect gift for a person of a literary bent

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as in knack

a special and usually inborn ability having a decided bent for languages, he picked up Italian in no time

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bent

3 of 3

verb

past tense of bend

as in arched

to cause to turn away from a straight line she bent the blade of the knife when she got it jammed in the drawer

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as in devoted

to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention bent herself to the task for the rest of the day

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as in aimed

to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal bent all of his efforts toward making his first documentary film

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as in curved

to turn away from a straight line or course the stream bends slightly to the east

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straightened

as in distorted

to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of attorneys bending the facts to put their client in the most favorable light

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as in attached

to cause (something) to hold to another bend a leash to the dog's collar

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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

In another, a Pullman maid is bent over, hard at work, with her hair swept back into a ponytail, her gaze pointed downward and focused on the task at hand. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026 Myers, writhing in pain on the warning track, was bent over when his fellow outfielders came over to tend to him, while the Reds training staff started the sprint out onto the field. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Noun

Allowable charitable donations can help ease the program’s regressive bent. — Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 One of the athlete’s last appearances at Wimbledon, which came in 2021, saw the athlete in another Nike kit with a regal bent. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 June 2026

Verb

Jay bent down on one knee on December 1, 2023 at the Willard Hotel in Washington DC. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 Trump’s rejections cast a long shadow — not just over Illinois but over the entire federal disaster-response system — which critics say the president has bent to serve political ends. — Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bent

Adjective

Better known among seasoned riders as the Triple Nickel, the route makes for one of the most crooked roads in the Midwest, if not the country.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
There’ll be something else to keep the crooked numbers away, don’t worry.

— Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of crooked

Noun

These deciduous trees are invasive in many areas because of their aggressive roots that spread wide and far, and their tendency to take over native plants.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
This is largely because about half of autistic children have a tendency to wander away from safe environments.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 July 2026

Definition of tendency

Noun

Philadelphia's mayor at the time, Frank Rizzo, was a brash and brutal populist with a knack for fear-mongering that would make America's current president envious.

— Chris Brennan, USA Today, 2 July 2026
The rookie is an instinctive playmaker who has a knack for creating turnovers.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of knack

Verb

She was braced against a near-vertical gray rock on a steep part of the mountain, with her back unnaturally arched and her face pointed at the sky, eyes open.

— William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
The ceiling is arched and lined with skylights to allow for light in walkway.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2026

Definition of arched

Verb

If the Declaration announced a legal theory of legitimate government, Wilson devoted much of the remainder of his career to explaining what that theory meant.

— Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Other club sources, however, said Mendoza devoted a lot of energy to making sure Lindor and Soto were on the same page.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of devoted

Verb

Tehran has paused fragile negotiations with the US aimed at reaching a lasting deal to end their conflict during the multi-day funeral for Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike in February, on the first day of the war.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Trump’s executive order wiped out policies aimed at protecting transgender adults from discrimination.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of aimed

Verb

In the final minute of stoppage time to end the first half, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi curved his free kick right in front of the goal, seemingly just one perfect touch away from a goal.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
If spacetime is curved, then the path of light is also curved.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of curved

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benisons

bent

benthic

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“Bent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bent. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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adjective

noun

verb

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More from Merriam-Webster on bent

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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