trend 1 of 2

Definition of trendnext
1
as in tide
a prevailing or general movement or inclination according to the survey, there's a growing trend for companies to run their own day-care centers for the benefit of employees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2

trend

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to tend
to show a liking or proneness (for something) during the winter our school system trends toward canceling school at the drop of a hat—or at least a snowflake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course the river trends east, then west again, forming an oxbow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of trend are current, drift, tendency, and tenor. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

When can current be used instead of trend?

In some situations, the words current and trend are roughly equivalent. However, current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

When is drift a more appropriate choice than trend?

The synonyms drift and trend are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 trend?

The words tendency and trend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

When is it sensible to use tenor instead of trend?

The meanings of tenor and trend largely overlap; however, tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

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

Some common synonyms of trend are current, drift, tendency, and tenor. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

When can current be used instead of trend?

In some situations, the words current and trend are roughly equivalent. However, current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

When is drift a more appropriate choice than trend?

The synonyms drift and trend are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 trend?

The words tendency and trend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

When is it sensible to use tenor instead of trend?

The meanings of tenor and trend largely overlap; however, tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

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 trend
Noun
That same trend applies to those Raleigh-area counties’ attorneys and sheriffs. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026 America's birth rate is falling, but one Maryland doctor says a group is bucking the trend in a big way. Crystal McQuay, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Now his name is trending again, his lawsuit against his parents a startling revelation. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026 And in today's economic environment, where household debt is at record highs and unpaid debts are trending upward, even a temporary setback can quickly become a major financial issue. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trend
Noun
  • The Baltic Sea lacks strong tides that could have freed the whale.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • But by March 2018, the tides had clearly shifted; although Republican midterm primary voters only saw slight decreases from 2014, Democrats surged from just 10,500 votes in the 2014 governor primary to nearly 60,000, a rise that was seen down ballot as well.
    Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Labubus made popular by celebrities Olivia Attwood, Simone Biles and others joined in on the 2025 Labubu craze, contributing to its popularity.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The craze of public companies that once sought to mimic Strategy by stocking up on bitcoin as a company treasury asset were the essence of the crypto market last summer.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Young comedians, usually out of insecurity, tend to be in a needy rush to move to the next punch line during their act.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Insurance companies tend to cover these drugs for diabetes management, but few allow coverage for weight management unless medically recommended by a doctor.
    Kate Tully Ellsworth, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The cosmos has three possible geometries—positively curved like a sphere, flat like an infinite plane or negatively curved like a saddle—but geometry alone doesn’t determine shape.
    Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The rear of the speaker is smartly curved to better hug your body when it is slung over your shoulder, too.
    Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Smoke could be seen rising from the direction of a major UAE energy installation on March 14, in what appeared to be the latest strike targeting the Gulf’s petroleum facilities hours after the US struck Iran’s Kharg Island.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
  • While the morning invites a slower pace and simple pleasures, the Moon opposing chatty Mercury later can pull feelings and words in different directions.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The latests forecasts show a new round of storm systems will increase rain chances across much of Northern California and the Central Valley in the coming days.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • These latests features are designed for enterprises who want to integrate their AI technology with either existing Salesforce data or even their own data.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The viral video appeared to take that emphasis to an extreme, leaning heavily into dramatic editing choices more commonly associated with cinematic productions than traditional albums.
    Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Members of the faith known widely as the Mormon church have always leaned Republican.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • A lot of dance music leans more dark and some of his melodic tendencies are brighter in a way, more major key.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
  • History may not repeat, but it sure as hell has a tendency to trigger the occasional sense of déjà vu.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trend. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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