# bend someone's will

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bend-someones-will
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To persuade or otherwise induce someone to change his or her views or to choose a different course of action.

## Examples

- He tried to bend my will, but I refused to change my mind.
- The manager used pressure and threats to bend the will of the employees during the contract negotiations.
- Despite the relentless psychological pressure applied by the regime to bend his will, the prisoner remained steadfast in his refusal to betray his colleagues.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.