The term 'BENDS FORWARD' can be described by three different crossword solutions: STOOPS (6 letters), BOWS (4 letters), and LEANS (5 letters). Stooping is a posture in which the upper body is bent forward and downward, while bowing is a gesture of respect in which the head and upper body are bent forward. Leaning is a posture in which the upper body is tilted forward from an upright position. All three of these postures involve bending the upper body forward.