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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tend
William Jones
june 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026
On a metal album, even the ugliest sounds tend to have some earthly referent.
—Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
There are multiple ways to earn thousands of dollars with a CD now, for example, though those tend to involve larger deposits and extended terms.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Didion’s family eventually settled in Sacramento, where several generations would tend to their roots and Didion would eventually be born.
—Zinzi Clemmons, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tend
Verb
The deals that get done over lunch tend to be the ones that close quickly, because the groundwork happened in a low-stakes setting.
—William Jones
june 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026
On a metal album, even the ugliest sounds tend to have some earthly referent.
—Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
There are multiple ways to earn thousands of dollars with a CD now, for example, though those tend to involve larger deposits and extended terms.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Didion’s family eventually settled in Sacramento, where several generations would tend to their roots and Didion would eventually be born.
—Zinzi Clemmons, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tend
Verb
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Pippa leaned across the table with a fork in her hand.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
In the more northern, rural, and conservative-leaning of Maine's two congressional districts, gun rights and gas prices are particularly important to its residents.—
Margie Cullen,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Verb
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And Wrobleski nodded, as if in acceptance, before turning to watch the ball fly over the wall in center field for a solo homer.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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As Toomey looked for a seat to watch the race that day at Balboa Stadium, he was spotted by his old cross-country coach at Palo Alto High School, Forrest Jamieson.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Fried’s statement to the Herald comes amid warnings from a growing chorus of political leaders that Wasserman Schultz’s decision — and the state party’s silence about it — could have ripple effects across the ballot in November.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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Jeremy Doku — Belgium/Manchester City Doku has grown at City and was a key driver of their late-season charge.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Insider tip Yunnan and Kunming are known for their flowers, both wild and cultivated, so the hotel’s floral arrangements and garden landscapes are particularly beautiful.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
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In 2025, Mycoworks shuttered its South Carolina biomanufacturing plant, announcing a pivot to processing cheaper third-party mycelium instead of cultivating it themselves, and Natural Fiber Welding narrowly escaped bankruptcy, adding to the sense of an ending.—
Bella Webb,
Vogue,
11 June 2026
Verb
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County officials said the money would be used to repair roads, fix storm damage, maintain bridges and manage roadside vegetation.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
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Wonder also owns and manages the kitchens, and handles delivery after buying GrubHub in a deal valued at $650 million that closed in 2025.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Verb
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To reduce the risk of an encounter with bears, the Mammoth Lakes Police Department and wildlife authorities advised the public to never approach bears, keep garbage securely stored, do not leave food outside, and keep dogs leashed and supervised.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Espinoza urged parents to enroll children in swimming lessons, supervise children around water at all times and learn CPR.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The second highest waste generator that year, Tesla’s plant in Fremont, produced 115,136 pounds of MMA waste, by comparison, records show.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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Keeping with the old school vibe, the band pulled in old friends Joe Gittleman (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones) and Matt Appleton (Reel Big Fish) to produce.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Other violations throughout the years included creating another public nuisance in 2006 that generated more than 10 complaints and operating equipment contrary to its permit.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tend. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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