The term "bends an ear" refers to the act of attentively listening to someone or something. Some antonyms for this phrase include ignoring, neglecting, tuning out, and disregarding. When a person ignores or neglects someone, they are not paying attention to what is being said, and thus, they are not bending their ear towards the speaker. Tuning out means that a person is intentionally distancing themselves from the speaker, and disregarding means that they are dismissing what is being said. By understanding the antonyms of "bends an ear," we can understand the importance of active listening and communication in building healthy relationships.