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current

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noun

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as in wind
noticeable movement of air in a particular direction curtains that were being lightly lifted by a fresh current from the open window

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of current are drift, tendency, tenor, and trend. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

When would drift be a good substitute for current?

While in some cases nearly identical to current, 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

When might tendency be a better fit than current?

While the synonyms tendency and current are close in meaning, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

In what contexts can tenor take the place of current?

The words tenor and current can be used in similar contexts, but tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

When can trend be used instead of current?

The meanings of trend and current largely overlap; however, 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 current
Adjective
Meanwhile, Gloria expressed her concern over the current government’s aggressive deportation campaign and the loss of respect for other people’s opinions. Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025 While acknowledging the challenges and volatility of the current global scenario, the group’s chief executive officer Andrea Guerra sounded pleased with the performance during a call with analysts on Thursday at the end of trading in Hong Kong, where the company is publicly listed. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
However, if the pressure, density, or current is too high, the plasma can become unstable. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025 The plastic used in Reborn Collective comes from the beaches of Morocco, particularly around Essaouira, where ocean currents deposit daily waves of waste, much of it from Europe. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for current
Recent Examples of Synonyms for current
Adjective
  • This replaces a solid material that replaces the flammable liquid electrolyte found in conventional batteries.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The smaller Nomads will be powered by hybrid electric drivetrains, while the larger ones will use conventional engines.
    David Szondy October 19, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, aging aircraft fleets and a wave of retirements have created an urgent demand for new technicians.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In this new study featuring more than 1,000 participants at 244 sites in 17 countries, patients received either enzalutamide plus leuprolide (the combination group), leuprolide (the leuprolide-alone group), or enzalutamide monotherapy (the monotherapy group).
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, was one of the first people to publicly condemn the selection of Bad Bunny, going as far as threatening that ICE agents would be present at the Super Bowl next year.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Oklahoma With the federal government shut down, National Park rangers are not present at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Gathering Communist Party elites will review China’s upcoming five-year plan, an economic blueprint whose direction is strictly dictated by top leadership in the authoritarian state.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Then, pick a patch of sky 40 degrees away in the direction of your local zenith, which is the point directly above your head.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Wrap it with burlap or a tarp to protect it from chilly winds during cold spells.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
  • But that sort of external sexism toward a female president is not something viewers catch wind of in season three.
    Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Her video featured her usual format of showing herself making an iced coffee before pausing to speak to the camera.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The postal service is primarily self-funded and doesn't depend on the appropriations process to continue running as usual.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Nielsen, which tracks television ratings, now includes more modern devices in its tracking, an adjustment that has been expected to show higher sports viewership across the board.
    The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Their shoes’ aesthetic blends modern minimalism with classic styles that are designed to be subtle enough for everyday wear but with a twist thanks to the footwear’s unexpected details.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There is growing optimism that the global oil glut—exacerbated by ongoing OPEC production hikes—will peak in the first half of 2026, allowing for the industry to rebound in the back half of next year, CEOs said.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The ongoing government shutdown is the latest wrinkle, presenting risks to both the actual economy and investors’ ability to understand what’s going on due to the lack of economic data collection.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Current.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/current. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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