unbend

• POS: Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: un=bend

CIDE DICTIONARY

unbend, v. t. [1st pref. un- + bend.].

•  To free from flexure; to make, or allow to become, straight; to loosen; as, to unbend a bow.  [1913 Webster]
•  A remit from a strain or from exertion; to set at ease for a time; to relax; as, to unbend the mind from study or care.  [1913 Webster]

  "You do unbend your noble strength."  [1913 Webster]
•  To unfasten, as sails, from the spars or stays to which they are attached for use.  [1913 Webster]

unbend, v. i. 

•  To cease to be bent; to become straight or relaxed.  [1913 Webster]
•  To relax in exertion, attention, severity, or the like; hence, to indulge in mirth or amusement.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

unbend, v. (past and past part. unbent)
1 tr. & intr. change from a bent position; straighten.
2 intr. relax from strain or severity; become affable (likes to unbend with a glass of beer).
3 tr. Naut. a unfasten (sails) from yards and stays. b cast (a cable) loose. c untie (a rope).

THESAURUS

unbend

abate, bate, bend, disentangle, ease, ease off, ease up, extend, flatten, give, give way, let down, let up, let up on, loose, loosen, loosen up, mitigate, put straight, rectify, relax, relent, remit, set straight, sit up, slack, slack off, slack up, slacken, slake, slow down, smooth, stand up, straighten, straighten out, straighten up, submit, unbrace, uncurl, unkink, unlax, unsnarl, unstrain, unstring, unwind, yield

ROGET THESAURUS

unbend

Repose

VB repose, rest, rest and be thankful, take a rest, take one's ease, take it easy, relax, unbend, slacken, take breath, rest upon one's oars, pause, stay one's hand, lie down, recline, recline on a bed of down, recline on an easy chair, go to rest, go to bed, go to sleep, take a holiday, shut up shop, lie fallow.

Straightness

VB be straight, have no turning, not incline to either side, not bend to either side, not turn to either side, not deviate to either side, go straight, steer for, render straight, straighten, rectify, set straight, put straight, unbend, unfold, uncurl &c, unravel, unwrap.