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bend to one's will

Verb CEFR C2

Definitions

To compel someone or something to conform to one's desires.

idiomatic, transitive

Examples

Cenci: For Beatrice worse terrors are in store / To bend her to my will. Lucretia: Oh! to what will? / What cruel sufferings more than she has known / Canst thou inflict?”
His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he bent her to his will.”
Morrison had a superfluity of gifts and, like few other writers of her era, bent language to her will.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

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