bend someone's will — meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  Global Englishformalliterary
  • To compel or coerce a person into accepting or obeying one's desires, decisions, or commands.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The manager bent the team’s will to implement the new policy despite initial resistance.

    The manager bent the team’s will to implement the new policy despite initial resistance.

  • If she tries hard enough, she will bend his will and get him to agree to the plan.

    If she tries hard enough, she will bend his will and get him to agree to the plan.

  • They were bent by the leader’s determination, eventually aligning their goals with his vision.

    They were bent by the leader’s determination, eventually aligning their goals with his vision.

• 2.

  Global Englishformal
  • To exert strong influence over someone's beliefs, choices, or inclinations so that they conform to another's wishes.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Over time, the mentor bent the student's will, shaping her beliefs and ambitions.

    Over time, the mentor bent the student's will, shaping her beliefs and ambitions.

  • He bent her will by convincing her that this was the best course of action.

    He bent her will by convincing her that this was the best course of action.

  • The charismatic speaker bent the audience’s will with his passionate arguments.

    The charismatic speaker bent the audience’s will with his passionate arguments.

• 3.

  Global Englishformalliterary
  • To overcome a person's resistance and cause them to submit to another's control or intent.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Despite her stubbornness, they managed to bend her will and gain her cooperation.

    Despite her stubbornness, they managed to bend her will and gain her cooperation.

  • The negotiations bent the company’s will to accept the new terms reluctantly.

    The negotiations bent the company’s will to accept the new terms reluctantly.

  • He bent his opponent’s will through relentless pressure and strategic moves.

    He bent his opponent’s will through relentless pressure and strategic moves.