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unbending
/ʌnˈbɛndɪŋ/
rigidly firm
The judge's unbending interpretation of the law left no room for exceptions.
The judge strictly adhered to the law without making any allowances.
formal
Refusing to compromise or change one's stance; rigidly firm in attitude or behavior.
Her unbending commitment to honesty made her unpopular in a competitive workplace.
Her strict adherence to honesty led to social discomfort in a cutthroat environment.
The company's unbending policy on punctuality frustrated employees with family emergencies.
The company's rigid rule about timeliness caused stress for workers with personal obligations.
Often describes people, principles, or systems that are inflexible. Can imply admirable steadfastness or problematic rigidity depending on context.
Engineering
technical
Not bending physically; stiff or inflexible.
The unbending steel beam supported the weight without deformation.
The rigid steel beam bore the load without bending or damage.
Primarily used in material science or mechanical contexts to describe objects that resist bending under stress.
Collocations
unbending attitudea rigid or inflexible stanceunbending rulea strict regulation with no exceptionsunbending commitmenta firm and unwavering dedication
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing in personal criticism
While 'unbending' can describe someone's stubbornness, it may sound harsh. Prefer alternatives like 'firm' or 'principled' when praising someone's consistency.
Gold Rule
Context determines tone
In formal or technical writing, 'unbending' is neutral. In personal or critical contexts, it often implies negative rigidity.
Word Origin
From Old English 'un-' (not) + 'bendan' (to bend). The literal sense 'not bending' dates to the 14th century, while the figurative sense 'unyielding in attitude' emerged in the 17th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe people, policies, or principles. In personal contexts, it can carry a negative connotation (e.g., stubbornness), while in professional or moral contexts, it may be neutral or positive (e.g., integrity). Avoid using it to describe physical objects unless in technical writing.
Word Breakdown
un-
not
prefixbending
the act of being bent or flexible
rootEnglish Dictionary