Flex - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT flex /flɛks/ /flɛks/ IPA guide

Other forms: flexed; flexing; flexes

When you flex something, you bend or contract it. To appear super tough, you might flex your archery bow while flexing your muscles.

Things curve and bend when they flex, whether they're human joints or objects made of a bendable material like plastic or soft wood. Another way to flex is to tense or contract a muscle: "The weightlifter flexes her biceps." Experts suspect that flexible came first, from the Latin root flexibilis, "flexible, pliant, or yielding," and figuratively, "tractable, or easily influenced."

Definitions of flex

verb cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form synonyms: bend, deform, turn, twist see moresee less types: show 5 types... hide 5 types... dent, indent make a depression into incurvate cause to curve inward gnarl twist into a state of deformity crank bend into the shape of a crank convolute, convolve curl, wind, or twist together type of: change form, change shape, deform assume a different shape or form
verb form a curve synonyms: bend see moresee less types: show 17 types... hide 17 types... crook, curve bend or cause to bend arc, arch, curve form an arch or curve incurvate bend inwards replicate, retroflex bend or turn backward angle, lean, slant, tilt, tip incline or bend from a vertical position bend, bow, crouch, stoop bend one's back forward from the waist on down double, double over, double up bend over or curl up, usually with laughter or pain cower, crawl, creep, cringe, fawn, grovel show submission or fear curl, curl up, draw in shape one's body into a curl recurve curve or bend (something) back or down camber curve upward in the middle incline, pitch, slope be at an angle weather cause to slope heel, list tilt to one side lean back, recline move the upper body backwards and down squinch crouch down cower, huddle crouch or curl up type of: change form, change shape, deform assume a different shape or form
verb bend a joint “flex your wrists” synonyms: bend see moresee less type of: move move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion
noun the act of flexing “he gave his biceps a flex to impress the ladies” see moresee less type of: flexion, flexure act of bending a joint; especially a joint between the bones of a limb so that the angle between them is decreased
verb contract “flex a muscle” see moresee less type of: contract, shrink become smaller or draw together
verb exhibit the strength of “The victorious army flexes its invincibility” see moresee less type of: flash, flaunt, ostentate, show off, swank display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously

Pronunciation US /flɛks/ UK /flɛks/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘flex'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

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