1
as in ways
an established pattern of behavior
a tendency to drop things a tendency to make snap judgments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in trends
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
we'll be seeing a tendency for skirt lengths to get shorter this coming season
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in inclinations
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
a youth with a natural tendency toward arts and crafts instead of sports
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tendencies
There were no signs the victim had suicidal tendencies, according to police.
—
Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
While Heuermann could hold the key to previously-unknown details surrounding the inner workings of a serial killer’s mind, Burgess cautions the ability to work alongside the FBI could feed into any narcissistic tendencies that are frequently observed in the most heinous criminals.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Some have been critical of Chiu’s crowd-pleasing tendencies.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The actress and comedian, 36, puts that — along with her shopaholic tendencies, crippling debt and famous last name — at the forefront of her show Nicole Travolta Is Doing Alright, now playing at the SoHo Playhouse off Broadway.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
What that’s code for — and what’s piquing Andrew’s caretaker tendencies along with his pheromones — is a certain kind of big-eyed helplessness.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Not all the tendencies that make chatbots dangerous are glitches; some are by-products of how the systems are built.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Provincial governors in Bijapur soon displayed rebellious tendencies, creating instability within the kingdom.
—Sanat Pai Raikarall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Apr. 2026
This non-native vine's aggressive tendencies are well-known, and the bright orange roots are easy to spot for removal.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Apr. 2026
Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
While Heuermann could hold the key to previously-unknown details surrounding the inner workings of a serial killer’s mind, Burgess cautions the ability to work alongside the FBI could feed into any narcissistic tendencies that are frequently observed in the most heinous criminals.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Some have been critical of Chiu’s crowd-pleasing tendencies.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The actress and comedian, 36, puts that — along with her shopaholic tendencies, crippling debt and famous last name — at the forefront of her show Nicole Travolta Is Doing Alright, now playing at the SoHo Playhouse off Broadway.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
What that’s code for — and what’s piquing Andrew’s caretaker tendencies along with his pheromones — is a certain kind of big-eyed helplessness.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Not all the tendencies that make chatbots dangerous are glitches; some are by-products of how the systems are built.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Provincial governors in Bijapur soon displayed rebellious tendencies, creating instability within the kingdom.
—Sanat Pai Raikarall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Apr. 2026
This non-native vine's aggressive tendencies are well-known, and the bright orange roots are easy to spot for removal.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tendencies
Noun
-
That variability also means that there is more room to find ways to save.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In the fall, Williams expects to work with a new intern to help build upon this event and find new ways to bring together the older and younger generations.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sign up for our weekly newsletter that goes beyond the livestream, offering a closer look at the trends and figures shaping the ETF market.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Throughout the series, Swisher tests a variety of biotech breakthroughs and wellness trends for herself (think ketamine, red light and sound therapy).—
Erin Lassner,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Who knew that such daring would lead to a film that avoids these inclinations entirely, especially one that could have so easily leaned into controversial territory?—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Samuel Alito’s inclinations have not been hard to discern lately.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
King tides — the year’s highest tides, which climate change is making more frequent and severe — stir up sediment and reduce the light that reaches the seafloor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Once created, New Cut allowed colonial travelers to rely on strong sea tides to carry them through the canal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job.—
GRACIA LIU-FARRER,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Nov. 2025
-
More money is apt to make homeschooling worse and far less tailored to the individual student and their interests and aptitudes by encouraging parents to substitute pricey group programs for the requisite effort of individualized instruction.—
Marie Sapirie,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Prior to that time, a conservative who dared toss the dirty indictment at his or her opponent would face disapproval from all directions, and, of course, condemnation from the legacy media.—
Bob Ehrlich,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Now that her eldest son is in his 20s and her youngest son, 14, is old enough to stay home by himself, the actor feels ready to expand in all directions.—
Zeba Blay,
SELF,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Its formal and ontological affinities with dysfunction, fragmentation, and violence would seem to render that debt proverbial to the point of cliché.—
Ara H. Merjian,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Today, costly and time-consuming coachbuilding acts as a mirror for the owner’s personal style and affinities, all the while displaying the status of having formed such a close connection with a brand that you’re invited to commission something singular.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In astrology, Venus speaks to your desires, relationships and sense of ease, while Mars governs your actions, impulses and pursuits.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
These impulses are at odds during today’s last quarter moon.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tendencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tendencies. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
