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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 Films about 20-something characters drifting aimlessly through life have a tendency to drift themselves, but that can also be part of their charm. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025 For example, a tendency to seek new experiences can be critical for success in science, medicine and the arts. Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 7 July 2025 The primary reason a houseplant bends or leans is due to phototropism, which is the scientific term for a plant’s tendency to grow towards the sunlight. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2025 Having been sober for many decades herself, Bev recognizes the narcissism of addiction, the way addicts have a tendency to put themselves at the center of the universe. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tendency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tendency
Noun
  • And many realtors and real estate experts don’t expect this trend to change any time soon—especially if interest rates, inventory, or wage growth don’t sway in first-time home buyers’ favor.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 July 2025
  • These trends illustrate attackers’ growing interest in exploiting less secure communication channels—and, in turn, highlight the need for security teams to do more to defend them.
    Eyal Benishti, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • At a June 5 press conference, one day after the General Assembly closed the regular 2024 session, the governor gave his strongest indication to date of an inclination to seek another four-year term with Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 July 2025
  • At the Soul Train Awards in 1997, Da Brat arrived outfitted in a similarly referential look, but her look evoked tomboy inclinations.
    Julian Randall, Essence, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2025
  • But Boone and company could not find a way to get the ball past Rath.
    Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • This may be the last, best window for pro-innovation crypto rules before a future political realignment shifts the tides.
    Jason Brett, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Now that viewers have had a chance to see Hyun-ju’s two-season arc, the tide has turned around his casting.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • The Watch 8 series also offers a 12-minute running test to gauge your current aptitude for the activity from 1 (beginner) to 10 (pro).
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
  • Each drill was designed to test Beringer’s physical makeup and his aptitude for the game.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • This region is among the nation's most prone to flash flooding, known for its propensity for fast and furious flooding when extreme rain falls, Alan Gerard, CEO of weather consulting company Balanced Weather said.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 8 July 2025
  • The band played straightforward modern rock in the vein of Three Doors Down except for the occasional propensity to get legitimately heavy (with decidedly less family-friendly lyrics).
    jsonline.com, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • They’re then added into the mascarpone mixture one spoonful at a time, while stirring gently in the same direction to achieve a consistent light and airy texture.
    Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025
  • Always follow package directions when applying fertilizer to your garden to avoid over-fertilizing.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • However, instead of removing the minerals from the water, these devices make the minerals soluble in the water.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
  • However, these incidents underscore the importance of regularly updating your devices to stay protected against evolving threats.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 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 19 Jul. 2025.

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