Unbends [verb]

They felt they must unbend after the severe mental tension of the morning.

And be it remembered that our dear Doctor could unbend—that is, in fitting time and place.

We had first to unreeve all the ropes, and unbend all the sails.

They had never before seen him unbend to anybody as he did to George.

Dolly did not join in her mother's laugh nor unbend in the least.

She could relax and unbend again; she was safe from his cyclones.

Margaret tried to laugh a little, with a lingering hope that he might unbend.

It was not to be expected that such a man as he should unbend as the reverend chairman did.

How can I unbend him so he will be limber as he was this afternoon.

His duty was over, the great ship was in the harbor, and he could afford to unbend a little.