Synonyms of current

current 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkər-ənt 

1

as in conventional

accepted, used, or practiced by most people

current wisdom on parenting favors allowing children lots of self-expression

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conventional
• usual
• prevailing
• customary
• standard
• popular
• prevalent
• going
• average
• normal
• stock
• ordinary
• regular
• common
• widespread
• everyday
• routine
• universal
• ubiquitous
• in
• fashionable
• epidemic
• accustomed
• stylish
• wonted
• modish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unusual
• unpopular
• extraordinary
• abnormal
• exceptional
• unconventional
• nonstandard
• uncommon

2

as in new

being or involving the latest methods, concepts, information, or styles

current therapies for treating cancer have success rates that were undreamed of only a few decades ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

• new
• modern
• contemporary
• latest
• designer
• fashionable
• present-day
• stylish
• up-to-date
• modernistic
• new age
• modernized
• newfangled
• state-of-the-art
• recent
• futuristic
• ultramodern
• hot
• red-hot
• up-to-the-minute
• updated
• mod
• last
• space-age
• now
• new-fashioned
• in
• happening
• nouvelle
• modish
• high-tech
• latter-day

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• past
• antiquated
• archaic
• old
• former
• out-of-date
• historical
• ancient
• old-time
• historic
• anachronistic
• dated
• old-fashioned
• venerable
• fusty
• antediluvian
• late
• musty
• hoary
• age-old
• bygone
• aged
• olden
• antique
• obsolete
• outmoded
• retro
• retrograde
• oldfangled
• passé
• outworn
• old-world
• discarded
• remote
• timeless
• disused
• forgotten
• unmodernized
• ageless
• kaput
• moth-eaten
• dateless

3

as in present

existing or in progress right now

the current fund-raising effort

Synonyms & Similar Words

• present
• ongoing
• recent
• immediate
• existing
• new
• present-day
• extant
• modern
• existent
• contemporary
• instant
• up-to-date
• newfangled
• modernistic
• ultramodern
• being
• breathing
• mod
• red-hot
• space-age
• supermodern
• living
• new-fashioned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• future
• coming
• over
• unborn
• old
• through
• up
• terminated
• ancient
• finished
• past
• ended
• obsolete
• antiquated
• archaic
• completed
• former
• out-of-date
• concluded
• old-time
• antique
• antediluvian
• done
• outworn
• dated
• old-fashioned
• erstwhile
• musty
• bygone
• fusty
• noncontemporary
• ago
• oldfangled
• passé

current

2 of 2

noun

1

as in direction

a prevailing or general movement or inclination

the currents of fashion are always changing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• direction
• trend
• tide
• tendency
• wind
• shift
• drift
• run
• curve
• tenor
• leaning
• turn
• downside
• custom
• habit
• swing
• propensity
• way
• upside
• turnabout
• undercurrent
• countercurrent
• countertrend
• undertow

2

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

• wind
• draft
• blow
• breeze
• tornado
• breath
• gale
• flurry
• tempest
• gust
• windstorm
• blast
• puff
• squall
• headwind
• tailwind
• waft
• zephyr

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

Recent Examples of current

Adjective

The zoo, at its current size of around 14 acres, is one of the smallest zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and is looking to add around 6 acres. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Bigotry against Muslims among Republican members of Congress — and even some Democrats — is flourishing openly in an institution whose current leadership has repeatedly failed to confront it. — Zainab Chaudry, Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2026

Noun

The Solomon Sea contains powerful ocean currents that bring nutrients toward the surface, supporting marine ecosystems that include fish, coral reefs and other wildlife. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026

Seeing a spectacular aurora does not automatically mean the ground beneath it is experiencing the strongest magnetic disturbances or electric currents. — Mark Moldwin, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026