bendability

Ability to flex

Bendability is the quality of being able to bend without breaking.

The word appears most often in technical contexts describing materials: The alloy's bendability makes it ideal for automotive panels.

In casual use, flexibility usually serves better.

malleability

ductility

Ability to stretch unbroken

plasticityAbility to change shape
formabilityEase of being shaped
workabilityEase of handling material

deformability · moldability · pliability · softness · annealing · tempering · forging · manipulation · reshaping · conformability

elasticity

stretch

Pull to extend

elasticAble to stretch, rebounds
springinessCapacity for elastic recovery
recoilBackward force from discharge

give · rubberiness · extensibility · tensile · latex · spandex · elastomer · bungee · contractility · expandability

flexibility

suppleness

Capacity to bend easily

limbernessBodily flexibility
pliancyCapacity to flex
pliantnessCapacity to bend easily

bendiness · compliance · give · articulation · range · contortion · folding · hinging · arching · bowing

Categories

material propertieshardness, elasticity, ductility, strength, durability
plasticityclay, putty, dough, wax, polymer
flexibilitystretch, elastic, bendy, stretchy, pliable
submissivenesssubmissiveness, docility, meekness, obedience, tractability

Opposites

flexibility/pliability

bendabilityrigidity

State of being unbending

stiffness · inflexibility · rigidness · brittleness · hardness

Family

bend, bending, bends, bendable, unbending, bender, unbendable, bended, unbends

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G