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as in trend
a prevailing or general movement or inclination we'll be seeing a tendency for skirt lengths to get shorter this coming season

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word tendency different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of tendency are current, drift, tenor, and trend. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

In what contexts can current take the place of tendency?

Although the words current and tendency have much in common, current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

When is it sensible to use drift instead of tendency?

In some situations, the words drift and tendency are roughly equivalent. However, drift may apply to a tendency determined by external forces, or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of meaning or discourse.

the drift of the population away from large cities
got the drift of her argument

Where would tenor be a reasonable alternative to tendency?

The synonyms tenor and tendency are sometimes interchangeable, but tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

When can trend be used instead of tendency?

The words trend and tendency can be used in similar contexts, but trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tendency People often seek help because someone else in their life has become frustrated with their tendency to hyperfixate. Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Apr. 2025 Even with Palace’s tendency to hold onto talent, their resolve will be tested. Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 The tendency of such devices to become obsolete disproportionately harms disabled people, Williams added. Russell Leung, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025 In keeping with its tendency to defer to leftwing activists at the risk of aggravating the broader public, the Biden administration did away with Trump’s executive orders governing water flow rates. The Editors, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tendency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tendency
Noun
  • This reflects an industry trend moving beyond general-purpose models toward variants optimized for specific high-value tasks often driven by enterprise demand.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • It wasn’t lost on me that 2000s references were also larger trends at Revolve Festival.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Stolarz’s inclination to shout instructions at teammates on the ice, often with serious levels of hostility in the name of competition, comes to him naturally.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Tariffs are designed for a combination of reasons, including protecting domestic markets; inviting foreign investment; and becoming more effective using capabilities, inclinations, and talents in other parts of the world.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • What are some safe and effective ways to exercise while following the keto diet?
    Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to shift toward a healthier lifestyle.
    Julia Ries, Health, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Arroyo memorializes ordinary buildings at risk of being swept up in the tide of gentrification in Miami through his paintings, while Simmons creates with concrete, fabric, acrylic, found objects and construction debris to form architectural sculptures and mixed media works.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2025
  • This rising tide has been spurred in large part by billionaires, particularly Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and, to a lesser extent, Richard Branson.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • His and Hubbard's distinct approaches underscore the region’s aptitude for versatility.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025
  • According to the archaeologists, the transition from stone to bone was a feat of abstract thinking, requiring an aptitude in toolmaking and an appreciation that the knapping techniques that worked on one material would also work on another.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This propensity to break not merely with conservatives but with Trump has now drawn enmity upon her head.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Robertson’s propensity to break games wide open with his shot was front and centre against the Blue Jackets.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Double-check travel plans and directions.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The orchestra has no music director to push it in this or that direction.
    Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In an unprecedented move, our public schools handed out hundreds of thousands of devices to help more than 1 million students continue to safely learn online with their teachers and classmates.
    Dr. Mitchell Katz, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Efficient energy storage is crucial for the transition to a low-carbon economy, which can impact everything from grid-scale energy storage to electric vehicles and portable devices.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tendency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tendency. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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