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
• control
• care (for)
• mind
• guard
• govern
• see after
• take care of
• conduct
• regulate
• superintend
• guide
• direct
• safeguard
• patrol
• preside (over)
• administrate
• shield
• mother
• baby
• steward
• babysit
• shepherd
• chaperon
• 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

Some of London’s biggest companies have moved or considered moving their stock listings to New York, where prices tend to be higher, liquidity deeper, and executive salaries bigger. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Modern female superstar filmmakers have not only dedicated to performance but also tend to be diverse. —Clifford Coonan, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025

Waterspouts tend to form when the air is cool and moist, and the water is near its warmest. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Some research has also found that evening folks tend to have less-healthy habits than morning ones—you’re just more apt to do things like smoke and drink at night, for instance. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 4 Sep. 2025