Synonyms of tend

tend 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈtend 

as in to lean

to show a liking or proneness (for something)

her wardrobe tends toward dark colors and heavy fabrics

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lean
• incline
• go
• run
• trend
• gravitate
• indicate
• suggest
• point

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• shun
• shy (from or away from)

tend

2 of 2

verb (2)

1

as in to watch

to take charge of especially on behalf of another

tend the store while I run an errand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• watch
• supervise
• oversee
• manage
• attend
• operate
• protect
• look after
• run
• see to
• care (for)
• control
• mind
• guard
• govern
• take care of
• see after
• conduct
• regulate
• superintend
• guide
• direct
• safeguard
• preside (over)
• administrate
• shield
• patrol
• mother
• baby
• steward
• babysit
• shepherd
• chaperone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• abandon
• disregard
• neglect
• pass over

2

as in to grow

to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care

lately I haven't been doing a good job of tending my garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grow
• cultivate
• produce
• promote
• raise
• culture
• plant
• harvest
• dress
• crop
• propagate
• breed
• rear
• gather
• reap
• sow
• glean
• ripen
• sprout
• germinate
• quicken
• root

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• kill
• pick
• dig
• pull (up)
• cut
• pluck
• hay
• uproot
• extirpate
• mow

3

as in to cultivate

to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops on

plots that during the war were tended by city dwellers as vegetable gardens

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cultivate
• till
• plant
• farm
• harvest
• reap
• crop
• hoe
• harrow
• sharecrop

4

as in to manage

to look after and make decisions about

the dying patriarch wondered who would tend the family business after he was gone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• manage
• operate
• supervise
• oversee
• handle
• regulate
• run
• control
• conduct
• govern
• keep
• overlook
• direct
• administer
• guide
• protect
• carry on
• preside (over)
• watch over
• watch
• steer
• administrate
• lead
• superintend
• steward
• care (for)
• safeguard
• mind
• guard
• pilot
• micromanage
• stage-manage
• comanage
• codirect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tend

Verb

People tend to rally around that clarity of vision. —Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026

And Venezuelan crude oil tends to be heavy and tough to refine, though some refineries on the Gulf Coast are equipped to process it. —January 9, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

Like Kaplan, Haylee Davidowitz tends to stay out of the spotlight. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026

Westerners tend to associate olive oil with Italy. —Annie Daly, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026