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bend the rules

VERB

deviate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

depart differ diverge vary veer

STRONG

aberrate avert bend contrast deflect digress divagate drift err part shy swerve turn wander

WEAK

angle off bear off break pattern circumlocate depart from edge off get around go amiss go haywire go off on tangent go out of control go out of way leave beaten path not conform swim against stream take a turn turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agree stay

STRONG

straighten

WEAK

go straight keep

VERB

divert

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deter detract discourage distract

STRONG

abstract detach disengage dissuade disturb sidetrack stall

WEAK

attract attention catch flies circumlocute disadvise draw away get around lead astray lead away send on a wild-goose chase

Antonyms

STRONGEST

encourage

STRONG

attach combine connect unite

WEAK

anger be direct irritate keep to maintain make mad stay upset

VERB

play dirty

Synonyms

WEAK

bamboozle beguile bilk burn caboodle chisel con deceive defraud do a number on double-cross double-deal dupe finagle fleece flimflam fudge hit below the belt hoodwink hose mislead pull something funny rip off rook sandbag scam screw shaft stack the cards stretch the rules sucker swindle trick victimize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In November, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" and break up play.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

A close enough friend, the Journal found, to bend the rules for, beginning with an unchallenged belief in Boyd’s claim that Spivey shot first.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

That Michaels and his “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” bend the rules and think differently is a message Reitman delivers without overkill.

From Salon • Sep. 26, 2024

He said rental hosts bend the rules in a few ways.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2023

I’ve also called the Continental five more times, hoping to get a worker who’ll bend the rules, but they keep saying they’re not allowed to give any information about their guests, even if they’re dead.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez

bend the rules

Example Sentences

Related Words