flexed; flexing; flexes
1
: to bend especially repeatedly
2
a
: to move muscles so as to cause flexion of (a joint)
b
: to move or tense (a muscle) by contraction
3
: use, demonstrate
flexing her skills as a singer
1
: bend
2
informal
a
: to talk in a boastful or aggressive way
"Bronze" is one of the most straightforward new tracks: a boastful and insidiously dark song that sees him flexing about his many wins.—
Raisa Bruner
—often used with on to indicate the person, group, etc. at whom the talk is directedRaisa BrunerHip-hop has never just been about selling drugs, flexing on haters, and threatening enemies, as many like to portray it.—Aaron Williams
Aaron Williams… he … went searching for criticism, then tried to flex on a random criticizer.—Ashley Feinberg
Ashley Feinberg"… And if President Trump is going to continue to flex on China, whether it's with tariffs, whether it's just talking tough and tweeting tough, that still draws a very stark contrast between himself and the Democratic Party. …"—Mattie Duppler
Mattie Duppler
b
: to make an ostentatious display of something : show off
While tons of influencers love to flex on Instagram via designer bags and other luxury splurges, others are all about that perfect high-low balance …—Bella Gerard
—often used with on to indicate the person, group, etc. at whom the display is directedBella GerardIt's in-your-face branding that is all about flexing on your friends in their more common, more conventional limousines.—Max Finkel
Max Finkel
plural flexes
1
: an act or instance of flexing or bending
[Trae] Young finished with 22 points, seven assists and two steals—and a muscle flex after the game-winner.—Chris Vivlamore
Chris Vivlamore2
: flexibility, pliancy
The … fillet blade has a nice flex to it.—Matt Foster
Matt Foster3
informal
: an act of bragging or showing off
Monster (1994) was R.E.M.'s weird flex: an over-the-top rock album saturated with distortion, propelled by power chords and guitar feedback, and voiced by singer Michael Stipe's newly found enthusiasm.—David Gill
David Gill
Phrases
flex one's muscles
: to demonstrate one's strength
an exaggerated need to flex his political muscles—J. P. Lash
J. P. LashExamples of flex in a Sentence
Verb
He flexed the muscles of his right arm.
a material that flexes easily
Recent Examples on the Web
Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Metcalfe flexed her experience in myriad administrative roles and detailed plans for new programs and layers of oversight.
—Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024
The wearable tech uses two sensors that calibrate to your spine; a one-time setup recognizes your starting posture, then tracks how your spine flexes and changes while in motion during activities like Pilates and deadlifts.
—Jeff Wilser, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flex 
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Verb
Jazz voters recently flexing their muscles in the generals, with awards for Jon Batiste and Samara Joy, means André could have a decent chance at a second AOTY trophy.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Metcalfe flexed her experience in myriad administrative roles and detailed plans for new programs and layers of oversight.
—Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
It’s crafted of medical-grade silicone that flexes with your face shape and includes two innovative head straps for a super easy fit.
—Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024
The wearable tech uses two sensors that calibrate to your spine; a one-time setup recognizes your starting posture, then tracks how your spine flexes and changes while in motion during activities like Pilates and deadlifts.
—Jeff Wilser, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flex
Dictionary Entries Near flex
Cite this Entry
“Flex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flex. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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