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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
Abigail Spanberger, a former member of Congress, is the Democratic candidate, and Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican candidate, is the commonwealth's current lieutenant governor. Margaret Barthel, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025 That includes competition that spans the full academic year, rather than the current lone semester. Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
Ramping down the plasma current is carried out to stop it from further damaging the tokamak’s interior. Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025 The report also warns that increasing ocean acidification can disrupt ocean currents that are important for regulating marine climate and global weather patterns, leading to more intense climate extremes and undermining agricultural stability. Abc Climate Unit, ABC News, 7 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
  • None of the applicants were present at Wednesday's board meeting.
    Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Speak was present at South Manchester Coroner’s Court during a brief hearing to open the inquest formally and hear about Hatton’s movements during that weekend.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 16 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
  • The Steelers counter with their usual black-and-yellow primaries.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Kevin sneaks his way into a room at the Plaza Hotel and gets up to his usual shenanigans in the building, which was owned in real life by Donald at the time, with Ivana serving as the property's president.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But one scholar, Anthony Grafton, who about thirty years ago published Forgers and Critics, focused on how in the early modern period, there was this enormous flourishing not only of culture but also of liars.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The program features hits from the ’70s, such as The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elvis and The Carpenters, with modern twist.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • All crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan were shut on Sunday following ongoing clashes.
    Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Newcastle has a thriving alumni scheme with ongoing support and a lively WhatsApp group which, at the last count, had 79 members.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Current.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/current. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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